Synonyms of stentorian

stentorian

adjective

sten-ˈtȯr-ē-ən 

as in loud

marked by a high volume of sound

the professor's stentorian voice was enough to keep even the drowsiest student awake

Synonyms & Similar Words

• loud
• deafening
• ringing
• shrill
• thunderous
• roaring
• sonorous
• thundering
• earsplitting
• plangent
• piercing
• clangorous
• booming
• clamorous
• noisy
• blasting
• blaring
• resounding
• slam-bang
• vociferous
• raucous
• brazen
• strident
• obstreperous
• discordant
• harsh
• rip-roaring
• squealing
• overloud
• grating
• sharp
• dinning

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• gentle
• low
• soft
• silent
• quiet
• dead
• still
• calm
• soothing
• serene
• peaceful
• dreamy
• tranquil
• muffled
• restful
• muted
• hushed
• ultraquiet
• stilly
• softened
• toned (down)

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective stentorian contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of stentorian are earsplitting, loud, raucous, and strident. While all these words mean "marked by intensity or volume of sound," stentorian implies great power and range.

an actor with a stentorian voice

When is earsplitting a more appropriate choice than stentorian?

While in some cases nearly identical to stentorian, earsplitting implies loudness that is physically discomforting.

the earsplitting sound of a siren

When can loud be used instead of stentorian?

The meanings of loud and stentorian largely overlap; however, loud applies to any volume above normal and may suggest undue vehemence or obtrusiveness.

loud shouts of protest

When could raucous be used to replace stentorian?

The synonyms raucous and stentorian are sometimes interchangeable, but raucous implies a loud harsh grating tone, especially of voice, and may suggest rowdiness.

the raucous shouts of drunken revelers

When might strident be a better fit than stentorian?

The words strident and stentorian can be used in similar contexts, but strident implies a rasping discordant but insistent quality, especially of voice.

the strident voices of hecklers

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of stentorian

Gone is the grave, stentorian tone of Biden’s news releases. —Ezra Klein, The Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2024

The man standing at the podium has the steady, stentorian voice of an authority figure, someone who issues orders and expects them to be heeded without question, and the look of a zealot in his eyes. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 2 Aug. 2024

But its structure is traditional and its bursts of emotion, from stentorian speeches to frantic embraces and fistfights, can seem over the top. —Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 28 Feb. 2024

Filmed while pregnant with her first daughter, the comedian cracks wry, filthy, and culturally specific jokes in a stentorian voice with equal shades of formidability and shrewd wit. —Eric Farwell, EW.com, 9 Jan. 2024

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!