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
Heather Bien, Southern Living, 3 Apr. 2026
Clayton Club Saloon — which developed a reputation as a rowdy cowboy bar, decked out with boots hanging from the ceiling and hitching posts outside — anchored the small city’s downtown.
—Mario Cortez, San Francisco Chronicle, 1 Apr. 2026
Someone had stashed a film camera in an apartment high above the plaza, capturing a scene of rowdy onlookers feasting on sausage sandwiches and uncorking bottles of wine as—after a series of delays—the blade dropped on Weidmann’s nape.
—Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2026
These students are Zeke, a terrific football player often in trouble; Dontell, who is brilliant but rowdy; and Truth, who is personable and working with his criminal uncle.
—Oline H. Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rowdy
Adjective
From elegant crystal to retro highballs, using glassware that's lived through more than a few rowdy evenings is like inviting a guest with fabulous stories to the party.
—Heather Bien, Southern Living, 3 Apr. 2026
Clayton Club Saloon — which developed a reputation as a rowdy cowboy bar, decked out with boots hanging from the ceiling and hitching posts outside — anchored the small city’s downtown.
—Mario Cortez, San Francisco Chronicle, 1 Apr. 2026
Someone had stashed a film camera in an apartment high above the plaza, capturing a scene of rowdy onlookers feasting on sausage sandwiches and uncorking bottles of wine as—after a series of delays—the blade dropped on Weidmann’s nape.
—Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2026
These students are Zeke, a terrific football player often in trouble; Dontell, who is brilliant but rowdy; and Truth, who is personable and working with his criminal uncle.
—Oline H. Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rowdy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rowdy
Adjective
-
Assad’s 5 2/3 shutout innings in a 9-2 win over the Tampa Bay Rays earned an ovation from the boisterous Cubs fans who filled the ballpark.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2026
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This affords it plenty of privacy despite the windows on all sides, with the only immediate neighbors being a boisterous bunch of alpacas, goats, chicken, and cows.—
Bailey Berg,
Architectural Digest,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The thugs would insinuate themselves into the confidence of wayfarers and, when a favorable opportunity presented itself, strangle them by throwing a handkerchief or noose around their necks.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
31 Mar. 2026
-
No government masked thugs shooting down our neighbors in the streets.—
Diego Parrado,
Vanity Fair,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The raucous clip was co-directed by Carpenter and Margaret Qualley, and also co-stars Madelyn Cline.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
9 Apr. 2026
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The show stars Levy and Ortega as Nicky and Morgan, the older children of Laurie Metcalf's Linda, a raucous New Jersey mother running for mayor.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The scheme is designed to identify suspected criminals, combat identity fraud, and to police the EU's limit on 90-day stays within a 180-day period, according to the European Commission.—
Emma Clarke,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Apr. 2026
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Rex Heuermann, the man known as the Gilgo Beach killer, admitted to killing eight women over a span of decades, and the FBI is now looking into what motivated the 62-year-old to carry out his crimes to help capture other criminals in the future.—
Matt Lavietes,
NBC news,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In contrast to the Sussex children’s rambunctious backyard egg hunt, the children of Prince William and Princess Catherine spent part of their Easter having to parade to church in front of dozens of cameras, looking buttoned-up in formal suits and coats.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
7 Apr. 2026
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If your pet is rambunctious, consider putting them up and waiting to introduce them when the situation is calm, especially if older folks will be showing up.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Cazale played the title character, an older man who becomes lost in Manhattan and is harassed by two young toughs, one of whom was portrayed by Pacino.—
René Ostberg,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
12 Mar. 2026
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Meanwhile, a running back on the underdog 49ers will find the sledding tough on the ground, providing gamblers with a desirable rushing under to bet.—
Josh Shepardson,
Forbes.com,
16 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
But in addition to Cajun, Creole, and soul food institutions, the city continues to welcome new spots serving inventive contemporary Mexican, West African, and Indian cuisines—all which play into the diverse, lively vibe of New Orleans.—
Kate Kassin,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
13 Apr. 2026
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Illuminated by fairy lights, the market is small but lively and features several stalls where vendors offer everything from spring rolls, seafood, and meats grilled before your eyes to cocktails, fresh fruit, and desserts.—
Asia London Palomba,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
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That’s before Morgan steals a necklace from a chintzy gift shop run by a Turkish gangster named Yusuf, who proceeds to kidnap the pair, intimidate them at gunpoint, and threaten their family, forcing them to perform an array of odd jobs to make up for the petty theft.—
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
9 Apr. 2026
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Longtime collaborators Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro reunited for this 2019 gangster epic, about the real-life hitman Frank Sheeran and his experiences working for the Mafia.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rowdy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rowdy. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
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