ROWDY Synonyms: 154 Similar and Opposite Words

rowdy 1 of 2

adjective

ˈrau̇-dē

Definition of rowdy

as in boisterous

being rough or noisy in a high-spirited way a rowdy but good-natured group of teenagers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

rowdy

2 of 2

noun

as in thug

a violent, brutal person who is often a member of an organized gang rowdies had overtaken the neighborhood and were threatening people on the street

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of rowdy

Adjective

World powers, the sport’s biggest superstars and historically rowdy fanbases were all sent to DFW to put on a show. — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026 With hooliganism rife in English soccer in the 1980s, a narrative blaming drunken, ticketless and rowdy Liverpool fans was created by police, and was only overturned by years of campaigning by victims’ families. — ABC News, 14 July 2026 As soccer fans well know, hooligans are rowdy gangs that engage in violent behavior on game days. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2026 The Carnaval de Guaranda, for instance, takes inspiration from a rowdy annual fiesta held in the Bolivar Province and is made with vodka, hops, figs, white truffle, turmeric, and a local moonshine called pájaro azul. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for rowdy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rowdy

Adjective

Over six weeks of World Cup play, boisterous watch parties strengthened that claim, helping draw more than 900,000 visits downtown.

— Ryan Macasero, Mercury News, 19 July 2026
That includes Ghana, which received a boisterous welcome to KC after arriving here for its Round-of-32 match against Colombia.

— Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 17 July 2026

Definition of boisterous

Noun

Threatening to limit mail-in voting, adding ridiculous ID requirements, or staging thugs at polling places are other possible ways to convince you to stay home.

— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 6 July 2026
To be sure, the thugs of Hamas and Hezbollah committed a horrific massacre of young Jewish civilians enjoying a music festival on October 7, 2023.

— DP Opinion, Denver Post, 6 July 2026

Definition of thug

Adjective

Silent and purposeful, the pelicans cut through a raucous chaos of gulls at the end of the wharf and glided on into the marsh.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 July 2026
Instead of capping raucous Bastille Day celebrations in France with a trip to the World Cup final, Deschamps and his squad will travel to Miami to play in the third-place game.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026

Definition of raucous

Noun

California has some of the nation’s toughest gun laws, but state lawmakers are concerned that a new technology is allowing criminals to obtain firearms by building them from scratch.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 July 2026
This lengthy process was typical of ICE’s previous procedures to track down criminals, Sandweg said, which may have shifted under the demands of this administration’s daily arrest goals.

— Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 18 July 2026

Definition of criminal

Adjective

The picture of Cardinals cool, Walker chased down Kyle Schwarber, shut up a rambunctious Philly crowd and introduced himself to a much wider baseball world.

— Dan Gelston, AJC.com, 14 July 2026
The project’s name is what Sprouse and Columbus call their friend group of rambunctious guys.

— Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 7 July 2026

Definition of rambunctious

Noun

And Susan Collins, as Democrats have seen time and time again, is a real tough out.

— NBC news, NBC news, 21 June 2026
In that version, the character is played by Joe Don Baker, the great character actor known for playing toughs in films like Walking Tall (1973) and Fletch (1985).

— Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 5 June 2026

Definition of tough

Adjective

Inside, a lively party plays out — a cacophony of voices, skin, shimmer, bottles, joy and hormones on repeat.

— Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 16 July 2026
From creators Liz Heldens and Matt Ward, the as-yet-untitled series follows Heidi (Banks), who is fresh off a messy divorce and sets out to secure a lively second act for herself and her kids.

— Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 16 July 2026

Definition of lively

Browse Nearby Words

rowdiness

rowdy

rowdyish

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“Rowdy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rowdy. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of rowdy

adjective

noun

Example Sentences

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