as in boisterous
being rough or noisy in a high-spirited way
while American university debates tend to be sedate affairs, their counterparts in Oxford are wholeheartedly rumbustious
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Recent Examples of rumbustious
Around this time, the outfit’s quirky, lightly rumbustious songs began to resonate across British press and radio; accessible while containing a marked dose of strangeness, Fontaine’s songwriting – at once emotionally raw and witty – boasted a strong multi-generational appeal.
—
Sophie Williams, Billboard, 8 May 2025
The movie is both exquisite and rumbustious, stylized and energized.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 5 May 2022
Still, there’s a lot of pleasing vitality to this great American story about how clever brewers took an ancient idea and unlocked an unheard-of range of innovations with a combination of capitalist energy and rumbustious creativity.
—Kyle Smith, National Review, 18 Apr. 2021
The tech titans, with their somewhat rumbustious Bay Area staffers, look quite vulnerable.
—The Economist, 22 June 2020
Ausilia, destined for spinsterhood, switches her spying from the lovers to the rumbustious, intimidating Jewish family who gather around the couple.
—Tim Parks, Harper's magazine, 10 Feb. 2019
Sophie Williams, Billboard, 8 May 2025
The movie is both exquisite and rumbustious, stylized and energized.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 5 May 2022
Still, there’s a lot of pleasing vitality to this great American story about how clever brewers took an ancient idea and unlocked an unheard-of range of innovations with a combination of capitalist energy and rumbustious creativity.
—Kyle Smith, National Review, 18 Apr. 2021
The tech titans, with their somewhat rumbustious Bay Area staffers, look quite vulnerable.
—The Economist, 22 June 2020
Ausilia, destined for spinsterhood, switches her spying from the lovers to the rumbustious, intimidating Jewish family who gather around the couple.
—Tim Parks, Harper's magazine, 10 Feb. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rumbustious
Adjective
-
Among the latter, McElwee pays a visit to his longtime friend Charleen Swansea, who stole the show in Sherman’s March with her boisterous real-talk and raunchy humor.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Yet the mood is lively, even boisterous, come lunch, energy aided by friendly yet polished service.—
Lauren Mowery,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Almost every minute of their next few hours is broadcast to millions worldwide and soundtracked by the raucous crowd inside a cauldron-like Arthur Ashe Stadium.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
6 Sep. 2025
-
The Golden State fans in black and violet get even louder, live on the edge of raucous and dance like no one’s watching, whether the music is by Mac Dre or Rihanna.—
Marcus Thompson II,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Prince Louis is… rambunctious and comical, while Princess Charlotte is calm, steady and very proper in every aspect of her demeanor.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Bill gravitates towards Tammy (Jane Levy), his daughter-in-law and the only other person in his rambunctious household who values contemplation and repose.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
In Aurora, some of the attendees became drunk and rowdy.—
Jonathan Blitzer,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Flipper’s Boogie Palace at LaCienega and Santa Monica was also the A lister’s night spot of its time, the roller disco home of the trendy (including a young Laura Dern), many in glitter hot pants ready for the rowdy rink.—
Merle Ginsberg,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Joy’s jazzy, smoky version of the Marvin Gaye classic, coupled with her velvety vocals, sparked another rollicking ovation led by John who was the first to stand up.—
Gail Mitchell,
Billboard,
4 Feb. 2023
-
His setlist, a rollicking walk-down-memory-lane of solo hits, NKOTB favorites, standards, show tunes and cover songs, showcased his range as an entertainer, musical virtuoso and keen collaborator.—
Sonal Dutt,
Peoplemag,
23 Jan. 2023
Adjective
-
The line connects the bustling Praça dos Restauradores in Baixa (downtown Lisbon) with the lively Bairro Alto district and the São Pedro de Alcântara viewpoint.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
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While in La Latina, its winding medieval lanes overflow with lively tapas bars and local chatter.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
During recent surveys for these noisy lizards in Namibia, researchers found five species new to science, according to the study.—
Irene Wright,
Miami Herald,
4 Sep. 2025
-
The Aventho 200’s microphone uses Qualcomm’s cVc technology to ensure high-quality audio on phone calls and video meetings, even in noisy environments such as crowded trains or busy airports.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Researchers measured violent and property crime data from 2023, fatal car accidents, drug overdose deaths and excessive drinking rates.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Alderman Raymond Lopez, a Democrat from Chicago’s 15th Ward, wants Trump to send the National Guard to his city because of the violent crime to which people in his city are subjected.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rumbustious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rumbustious. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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