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Synonym Chooser

How is the word obstreperous different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of obstreperous are blatant, boisterous, clamorous, strident, and vociferous. While all these words mean "so loud or insistent as to compel attention," obstreperous suggests unruly and aggressive noisiness and resistance to restraint.

the obstreperous demonstrators were arrested

Where would blatant be a reasonable alternative to obstreperous?

The words blatant and obstreperous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, blatant implies an offensive bellowing or insensitive loudness.

blatant rock music
a blatant clamor for impeachment

When can boisterous be used instead of obstreperous?

The words boisterous and obstreperous can be used in similar contexts, but boisterous suggests a noisiness and turbulence due to high spirits.

a boisterous crowd of party goers

When is clamorous a more appropriate choice than obstreperous?

The meanings of clamorous and obstreperous largely overlap; however, clamorous may imply insistency as well as vociferousness in demanding or protesting.

clamorous demands for prison reforms

When might strident be a better fit than obstreperous?

In some situations, the words strident and obstreperous are roughly equivalent. However, strident suggests harsh and discordant noise.

heard the strident cry of the crow

In what contexts can vociferous take the place of obstreperous?

The synonyms vociferous and obstreperous are sometimes interchangeable, but vociferous implies a vehement shouting or calling out.

vociferous cries of protest and outrage

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 obstreperous In some ways, Paul has been less obstreperous than them. Eric Cortellessa, TIME, 18 Mar. 2025 In those days, even small neighborhood theaters employed uniformed ushers to guide latecomers to their seats with a flashlight, patrol the aisles, and handle obstreperous customers. Thomas Doherty, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Dec. 2024 Featuring bodies stacked like cords of wood and a bloated S.S. guard dangling from an iron hook, the spread was an obstreperous incursion among the kind of fashion and perfume ads that Miller had once shot or appeared in. Chris Wiley, The New Yorker, 10 Jan. 2024 Rachelle and Matthew had told me that Zac had become obstreperous and even menacing toward them, but Howells mentioned several incidents of physical aggression. Patrick Radden Keefe, The New Yorker, 5 Feb. 2024 See All Example Sentences for obstreperous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obstreperous
Adjective
  • Beyond her pioneering achievements behind the wheel, Levitt was also an inventor, a royal driving instructor, a suffragette and an outspoken writer.
    Jamie Lang, Variety, 23 Apr. 2025
  • The actor has long been an outspoken advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and particularly transgender women.
    Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Lesser powers that find themselves under the dominion of a great power against their wishes can be resentful and rebellious.
    Margaret MacMillan, The Atlantic, 30 Apr. 2025
  • In 1978, an ambitious and rebellious young woman, Marina Bulgari, decamped from her family business to branch out with her own jewelry brand.
    Roxanne Robinson, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Kandi Burruss, the Othello producer and Real Housewives of Atlanta alum who's been vocal about wanting an EGOT, took to Instagram to express her disappointment.
    Taryn Finley, Refinery29, 2 May 2025
  • The Last of Us star has been a vocal trans ally for some time and is close with his trans younger sister, Lux Pascal.
    Sam Manzella, Them., 1 May 2025
Adjective
  • Plutarch, future Head Gamemaker of the 75th Hunger Games and commander of the rebel forces, is a young Capitol cameraman in this timeline who is tasked with documenting the tributes of District 12.
    EW.com, EW.com, 25 Apr. 2025
  • The civil war in Sudan, between the government’s SAF and the rebel Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has just passed its grisly second anniversary.
    Paul Tilsley, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Among the most vociferous critics of the tariffs has been billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman, who was one of Trump’s most steadfast supporters during the presidential campaign and since the election.
    Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Trump’s effusive praise of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan – one of Israel’s most vociferous critics since the start of the war in Gaza – was another surprising line in a press conference full of them.
    Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • But beneath Pakistan’s drumbeat of defiant declarations as tensions erupt with India, a weary Pakistani public sees war as the last thing the country needs.
    Salman Masood, New York Times, 2 May 2025
  • Rank-and-file members of the Brotherhood already strike a defiant tone, vowing to continue to organize, protest, and voice criticism of both the Jordanian authorities and the war in Gaza.
    Taylor Luck, Christian Science Monitor, 30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • And just days ago, the FBI arrested Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan in a blatant effort to chill and intimidate.
    Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
  • What’s more disturbing than the waste is the blatant disregard for the ADA and the rights of the individuals who still reside at Southbury.
    Lisa Seminara, Hartford Courant, 29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Outside of Washington, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s followers appear to be scrambling the country's stubborn red-blue divide USA TODAY Texas is looking at bills to bring back exercise.
    Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 4 May 2025
  • The following day, however, Mercury will meet Mars in a stubborn square, triggering a clash between the need for practicality and discernment versus the desire to express oneself boldly and with pride.
    Staff Author, People.com, 1 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Obstreperous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obstreperous. Accessed 9 May. 2025.

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