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
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
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Recent Examples of rowdy
Jordan Runtagh, PEOPLE, 11 June 2026
Martin Scorsese, along with his then-wife, Isabella Rossellini, moved into the building and would call Mango at all hours — including once apparently to scare off a sister-in-law’s rowdy husband.
—Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 10 June 2026
The screening — preceded by a showing of Leone DiSantis’s Bound-esque short film Wild Ones — was a rowdy affair punctuated by wolf whistles, whoops, and bursts of laughter at every lesbian joke.
—Caroline Framke, Vulture, 8 June 2026
The Knicks defeated the Spurs, 105-104, in dramatic fashion to take a commanding 2-0 series lead in the 2026 NBA Finals — and the next two games are back at home, in front of the rowdiest, most passionate fan base in all of professional sports.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 6 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for rowdy
Adjective
Undeterred, Maurice instructed the group to lay down their instruments and meditate silently — onstage — until the rowdy crowd calmed down.
—Jordan Runtagh, PEOPLE, 11 June 2026
Martin Scorsese, along with his then-wife, Isabella Rossellini, moved into the building and would call Mango at all hours — including once apparently to scare off a sister-in-law’s rowdy husband.
—Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 10 June 2026
The screening — preceded by a showing of Leone DiSantis’s Bound-esque short film Wild Ones — was a rowdy affair punctuated by wolf whistles, whoops, and bursts of laughter at every lesbian joke.
—Caroline Framke, Vulture, 8 June 2026
The Knicks defeated the Spurs, 105-104, in dramatic fashion to take a commanding 2-0 series lead in the 2026 NBA Finals — and the next two games are back at home, in front of the rowdiest, most passionate fan base in all of professional sports.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 6 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for rowdy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rowdy
Adjective
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The production generates periodic boisterous fun along the way through brisk staging, galvanizing projections and splashy costuming, plus a few entertaining performances rippling out of the cast in bigger and smaller roles.—
Christopher Smith,
Oc Register,
9 June 2026
-
King’s voice and boisterous energy were an essential element of the television experience for Bulls fans over the last two decades.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
8 June 2026
Noun
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Also, consider how much more cash her thug husband’s company, Conan Harris & Associates, will be raking in if the Democrats regain control of the House next year.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
5 Dec. 2025
-
No single step would have a greater effect on the Venezuelan military, intelligence services, and police than removing Diosdado Cabello, the regime’s chief thug, who is currently serving as interior minister and thus controls the police.—
Elliott Abrams,
Foreign Affairs,
20 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Twenty-five hours after that, a raucous crowd at Blue FCU Arena was left silent.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
11 June 2026
-
The film, which hits theaters June 19, screened at Lincoln Center to raucous reception a few days before our park conversation.—
Rachel Handler,
Vulture,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
These people are vital to the Florida economy, yet they are being rounded up like criminals.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
20 Aug. 2025
-
The criminals are watching and waiting for the next soft target.—
Emil Sayegh,
Forbes.com,
20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Instead, our rebellious, rambunctious approach to athletic endeavor became part of the American ethos.—
Sally Jenkins,
The Atlantic,
11 June 2026
-
And yet on The Goonies, there’s seven of us, wild and crazy full of energy, loud, rambunctious.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
10 June 2026
Noun
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So, while Rue and Maddy are confabbing over milkshakes in a diner, Alamo sends Rue off for a drive with his two toughs, G (Marshawn Lynch) and the icy Bishop (Darrell Britt-Gibson).—
Marlow Stern,
Variety,
11 May 2026
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The Bookie & The Bruiser is set in 1959 New York City and features a pensive Jewish fellow named Rivner (James) and an oversized Italian-American tough named Boscolo (Vaughn).—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
4 May 2026
Adjective
-
The ranch saloon sits across from the open yard—and around the corner and up a hill of long yellow grass is the outdoor rodeo arena, home to lively summer rodeos every week in the summer season.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 June 2026
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Baltimore is best known for its maritime history and lively harbor, with plenty to see and do, from the National Aquarium to the cobblestone streets and waterfront views of Fell's Point.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
15 June 2026
Noun
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With her crude French and slightly out-of-place mannerisms, Patricia is the young, beautiful American expatriate drawn to this wannabe gangster who idolizes Humphrey Bogart and yet seems so quintessentially French.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
4 Dec. 2025
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Back in New York, following Marty’s unimaginable defeat in London, Abel Ferrara appears as a scuzzy street-level gangster who entrusts Marty and his taxi-driving best friend Wally (Tyler Okonma) with his near feral dog.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
1 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rowdy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rowdy. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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