STENTORIAN Synonyms: 53 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

stentorian

adjective

sten-ˈtȯr-ē-ən

Definition of stentorian next

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of stentorian Smith is fantastic and terrifying as Mrs. Medlock in The Secret Garden, the stentorian nurse and housekeeper whose domineering overcautiousness feeds into all the self-pitying inclinations of her poor weakling charge Colin Craven. —

Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 27 Sep. 2024 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 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 See All Example Sentences for stentorian

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stentorian

Adjective

After a steal and dunk by Reed put UConn back up by six, Huskies coach Dan Hurley began waving his arms wildly at the fans behind his bench, exhorting them to be louder.

— CBS News, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
In order to make sure horses keep their cool among loud, unpredictable crowds, officers do desensitization training with speakers, sirens, inflatable tube men, kazoos, fireworks, flags and all manner of annoyances.

— AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 27 Mar. 2026