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
Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 9 May 2026
That menu and space is more white tablecloth and intimate, while downstairs is a little rowdy and relaxed.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 8 May 2026
Everyone — including smitten Ethan and her rowdy pack of pals — think this is a bad idea.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 7 May 2026
According to O’Leary, airports have effectively delegated to airlines the consequences of early morning happy hour—namely, rowdy passengers boarding flights while less than lucid.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for rowdy
Adjective
If Pan American Airways represented, at its height, victory and suavity, the country achieving a kind of European state of grace, then Spirit was the exact opposite—synonymous with the rowdy and the rude at the heart of the American character.
—Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 9 May 2026
That menu and space is more white tablecloth and intimate, while downstairs is a little rowdy and relaxed.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 8 May 2026
Everyone — including smitten Ethan and her rowdy pack of pals — think this is a bad idea.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 7 May 2026
According to O’Leary, airports have effectively delegated to airlines the consequences of early morning happy hour—namely, rowdy passengers boarding flights while less than lucid.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for rowdy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rowdy
Adjective
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Reuters — The Republican speaker of Tennessee’s House of Representatives on Tuesday stripped Democratic lawmakers of all committee assignments as punishment for their role in boisterous protests during last week’s special session on redistricting.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
13 May 2026
-
When hearing another boisterous laugh.—
Joel Lorenzi,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
Noun
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The fact that this racist thug has been handed policing power by Netanyahu says more about the state of Israel’s democracy and political values—and in particular about the prime minister’s values—than many Israelis might like to admit.—
Avi Issacharoff,
The Atlantic,
22 May 2026
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White thugs destroyed it in the 1921 Race Massacre.—
Jasmine Desiree,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
Adjective
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In this embryonic North American colony, Grietje and Anthony Jansen van Salee (that is, Anthony Jansen from the Moroccan port of Salé), as he was now commonly known, or Anthony the Turk as some called him, were raucous to say the least.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 May 2026
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The end of the Colorado legislative session often is raucous and tense.—
Nick Coltrain,
Denver Post,
14 May 2026
Noun
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When unhoused people are treated as criminals, they are pushed into an identity of exclusion rather than belonging.—
Shianne LeClaire,
Hartford Courant,
17 May 2026
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Set in Gaza in 2007, and following the misadventures of a student (Nader Abd Alhay) and restaurant owner and petty criminal (Majd Eid), the picture premiered in Un Certain Regard last year and won the Best Director prize.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
16 May 2026
Adjective
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The disputes reflect the deep divisions that have long plagued the rambunctious Asian democracy.—
Jim Gomez,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
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Fortunately God gave her a rambunctious voice and unwavering confidence.—
Ilana Frost,
PEOPLE,
11 May 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
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The lively restaurant, a tribute to British photographer and tastemaker Cecil Beaton, strikes a delicate balance between elegance and whimsy.—
Julie Tremaine,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 May 2026
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Created by Liz Heldens (Will Trent) and Matt Ward (Best Medicine), and set to kick off production in Los Angeles this year, the new series follows Heidi (Banks), who while fresh off a messy divorce, sets out to secure a lively second act for herself and her kids.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
18 May 2026
Noun
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The only ones making money on alcohol now were gangsters.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
12 May 2026
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The gangsters who are running the country almost pride themselves on a lack of subtlety and finesse.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rowdy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rowdy. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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