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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

Examples 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 The patience that administrators initially displayed toward their most obstreperous students ran out when the antisocial campus bacchanalia, and their tolerance thereof, did reputational damage to their host institutions. Noah Rothman, National Review, 2 Jan. 2024 The Sun has become increasingly obstreperous lately, and the results here on Earth have been nothing short of dazzling – but also disruptive. Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 20 Dec. 2023 The Boston Tea Party also symbolizes something obstreperous in the American character. The Editors, National Review, 16 Dec. 2023 Those old enough to have encountered the waxy brown goop may have even undertaken the ritual of removing the obstreperous material from cars made from the 1970s through 1990s. Robert Ross, Robb Report, 6 Nov. 2023 See all Example Sentences for obstreperous 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obstreperous
Adjective
  • Kim noted that while Spiro has been very outspoken about parts the of case and its witnesses outside of the courtroom, the legal team has not made those same arguments in court.
    Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 20 Dec. 2024
  • The production has been riddled with controversy, from the color-blind casting of Zegler to the CGI dwarfs played by mostly non-dwarf actors to the leads’ outspoken opposing stances on the war in Gaza.
    Ben Rosenstock, TIME, 19 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • The news is a huge deal because rebellious Prince Fiyero is the ultimate catch for the students and Galinda.
    Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 27 Dec. 2024
  • This 116-room property, set in the historic Latrobe building, borrows from Baltimore’s rebellious spirit where spaces transport you between overlapping eras and influences.
    Monica Mendal, Vogue, 26 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • But when hundreds of millions of users are updating, even a very small percentage impacted is a large number of people—and those people can be vocal and can take to forums and social media to make their point, and that gets picked up and amplified, and before long there’s a perception issue.
    Zak Doffman, Forbes, 29 Dec. 2024
  • The Grammy nominee was reportedly accompanied by close friend and vocal coach Stevie Mackey, who wore his own full-length fur coat along with a scarf.
    Gil Macias, People.com, 28 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • In September, Israel launched another strike on Hodeida, killing at least four people after a rebel missile targeted Ben Gurion Airport as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was returning to the country.
    Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 19 Dec. 2024
  • The rebel groups that joined HTS to topple the regime made for a complex network of fighters, at times backed by foreign nations who were focused on battling different enemies.
    Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 18 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • In 1972, Muhammad Ali was scheduled to compete in South Africa, but a vociferous campaign dissuaded him from doing so.
    Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 20 Nov. 2024
  • But in 2014, Amira Hass, Haaretz’s correspondent in Ramallah and a vociferous critic of the Israeli occupation, was kicked out of an event at Bir Zeit University by two professors.
    Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 20 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • The finale was pure Beyoncé: bold, defiant, unforgettable.
    Shelby Stewart, Essence, 26 Dec. 2024
  • It’s described as a defiant, fiery, blue-toned matte red lipstick.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 22 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Editor’s picks On its own, its is a pretty blatant example of how TikTok’s popular meme formats allow creators to connect over moments that only become funny with time.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 11 Dec. 2024
  • Many with a blatant lack of sympathy towards the murder victim.
    ABC News, ABC News, 8 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • The Fed’s preferred inflation measure — the Personal Consumption Expenditures price index — is due Friday and could similarly show stubborn price pressures.
    Bryan Mena, CNN, 18 Dec. 2024
  • While the overall economic picture is starting to look better, stubborn inflation and the prospect of new tariffs when President-elect Donald Trump takes office seem to give mid-market leaders pause.
    Megan Poinski, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024

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Thesaurus Entries Near obstreperous

Cite this Entry

“Obstreperous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obstreperous. Accessed 4 Jan. 2025.

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