Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of boisterous are blatant, clamorous, obstreperous, strident, and vociferous. While all these words mean "so loud or insistent as to compel attention," boisterous suggests a noisiness and turbulence due to high spirits.

a boisterous crowd of party goers

When would blatant be a good substitute for boisterous?

The words blatant and boisterous can be used in similar contexts, but blatant implies an offensive bellowing or insensitive loudness.

blatant rock music
a blatant clamor for impeachment

When is it sensible to use clamorous instead of boisterous?

While in some cases nearly identical to boisterous, clamorous may imply insistency as well as vociferousness in demanding or protesting.

clamorous demands for prison reforms

In what contexts can obstreperous take the place of boisterous?

The meanings of obstreperous and boisterous largely overlap; however, obstreperous suggests unruly and aggressive noisiness and resistance to restraint.

the obstreperous demonstrators were arrested

Where would strident be a reasonable alternative to boisterous?

While the synonyms strident and boisterous are close in meaning, strident suggests harsh and discordant noise.

heard the strident cry of the crow

When is vociferous a more appropriate choice than boisterous?

In some situations, the words vociferous and boisterous are roughly equivalent. However, 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 boisterous The adoration was showered on the cast in nearly equal measure, with particularly boisterous cheers for Reinsve and Skarsgård. Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 21 May 2025 Hundreds of supporters, equipped with African drums and miniature flags adorned in black, red and green, claimed a section of the lower bowl, becoming the tournament’s most boisterous group. Anthony De Leon, Los Angeles Times, 5 May 2025 The ‘Turkey Brothers’ steal the encore with a boisterous jam As fans begged for an encore to an empty stage, an unlikely guest took center stage. Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 17 May 2025 Visitors any other day of the week will be surprised to learn that come Friday, The Blue Coconut transforms into one of the weekly Filthy Friday bar crawl stops, a wild island-hopping party that draws backpackers to some of the islands' most boisterous bars and clubs. Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 11 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for boisterous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for boisterous
Adjective
  • That 2-1 defeat was a stinger — Tōko Koga’s decisive goal in the 50th minute hushed an otherwise raucous San Diego crowd.
    Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 31 May 2025
  • The 16th annual Big Slick weekend publicly kicked off at The K with a raucous celebrity softball game, led by hosts Paul Rudd, Rob Riggle, Jason Sudeikis, Eric Stonestreet, David Koechner and Heidi Gardner — plus all of their closest friends.
    Ramal Nasim, Kansas City Star, 31 May 2025
Adjective
  • For 23 years, the rowdy blue agent of chaos lived as a second-class citizen at Disney.
    Brooks Barnes, New York Times, 2 June 2025
  • Tear gas was reportedly used near the stadium and water cannon were used near the Arc de Triomphe to disperse rowdy crowds.
    Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 June 2025
Adjective
  • Set 60-90 minutes aside—without those rambunctious kids around and with your favorite deliberative beverage—and tell your personal money stories to one another.
    Tim Maurer, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025
  • The reality star, 19, became an early rising star for her quippy one-liners and rambunctious persona on TLC's Toddlers & Tiaras.
    Esther Kang, People.com, 24 May 2025
Adjective
  • In lieu of bunking in the 4,000-square-foot Lord House, built in 1962 just off of Mulholland Drive, rent it out by the hour and host a lively pool party.
    Kristine Hansen, Architectural Digest, 30 May 2025
  • Thus began a lively rivalry with Lee, who quickly learned Clemens possesses a killer serve.
    Dan Hayes, New York Times, 30 May 2025
Adjective
  • At a 78th Cannes, which on the party side wasn’t as noisy as previous ones with drone shows (2022’s Elvis) and Elton John performing on the beach (2019’s Rocketman), leave it to amfAR‘s 31st fashionista blowout Cannes Gala at Hotel Du Cap at Eden Roc to steal the show.
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 23 May 2025
  • Hike in groups: A group is noisier and smellier, the National Park Service said.
    Helena Wegner, Sacbee.com, 23 May 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 prosecution appears poised to use Combs' feud with Knight, as well as another series of encounters with rapper Kid Cudi, as demonstrative of a violent streak.
    Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 28 May 2025
  • Yet the Brazilian proceeded to show how Pereira’s faith was misplaced, first with a stroppy performance at Chelsea that prompted his head coach to publicly criticise his body language and then with his second violent meltdown of the season, against Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez in the FA Cup.
    Steve Madeley, New York Times, 28 May 2025
Adjective
  • 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Boisterous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boisterous. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on boisterous

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!