BOORISH Synonyms: 43 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'boorish' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of boorish are churlish , clownish , and loutish . While all these words mean "uncouth in manners or appearance," boorish implies rudeness of manner due to insensitiveness to others' feelings and unwillingness to be agreeable. // a drunk's boorish behavior

Q: When might 'churlish' be a better fit than 'boorish'?

While the synonyms churlish and boorish are close in meaning, churlish suggests surliness, unresponsiveness, and ungraciousness. // churlish remarks

Q: When is it sensible to use 'clownish' instead of 'boorish'?

In some situations, the words clownish and boorish are roughly equivalent. However, clownish suggests ill-bred awkwardness, ignorance or stupidity, ungainliness, and often a propensity for absurd antics. // an adolescent's clownish conduct

Q: When could 'loutish' be used to replace 'boorish'?

The words loutish and boorish are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, loutish implies bodily awkwardness together with stupidity. // a loutish oaf

boorish

adjective

ˈbu̇r-ish

Definition of boorish next

as in loutish

having or showing crudely insensitive or impolite manners boorish behavior, such as yelling for service in restaurants

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How does the adjective boorish differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of boorish are churlish, clownish, and loutish. While all these words mean "uncouth in manners or appearance," boorish implies rudeness of manner due to insensitiveness to others' feelings and unwillingness to be agreeable.

a drunk's boorish behavior

When might churlish be a better fit than boorish?

While the synonyms churlish and boorish are close in meaning, churlish suggests surliness, unresponsiveness, and ungraciousness.

churlish remarks

When is it sensible to use clownish instead of boorish?

In some situations, the words clownish and boorish are roughly equivalent. However, clownish suggests ill-bred awkwardness, ignorance or stupidity, ungainliness, and often a propensity for absurd antics.

an adolescent's clownish conduct

When could loutish be used to replace boorish?

The words loutish and boorish are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, loutish implies bodily awkwardness together with stupidity.

a loutish oaf

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 boorish The supporting cast included Damian Young as Valerie’s husband Mark, Malin Akerman as young starlet Juna, Laura Silverman as reality show producer Jane, Lance Barber as boorish TV writer Paulie G and Robert Michael Morris — who sadly passed away in 2017 — as Valerie’s hairdresser pal Mickey. —

Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 19 July 2024 The next day, on their neighbouring balcony, the girls befriend some hard-partying lads: Badger (Shaun Thomas), who Tara immediately takes a liking to, and his best friend, boorish ladies man Paddy (Samuel Bottomley). —

Maybelle Morgan, refinery29.com, 7 Mar. 2024 The old tourist is essentially the boorish figure from the headlines—solipsistic, oriented toward the self, someone who superimposes their fantasies onto a place and then is outraged when their expectations aren’t met. —

Chelsea Leu, The Atlantic, 30 June 2024 Anyway, after all is said and done, his letter impresses me as another boorish rant by a Trumpian true believer who has bitten the bait of a world-class liar. —

Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 5 Feb. 2024 See all Example Sentences for boorish

Recent Examples of Synonyms for boorish

Adjective

Widowed waitress Yvette Yates Redick and misfit nine-year-old son Benjamin Steinhauser remain in mourning for the man of the house — a vacancy poorly filled by her loutish current boyfriend (Rob Mayes).

Dennis Harvey, Variety, 23 Oct. 2024
At one point Jan, distracted by Kasia’s upcoming sonogram, is being drilled by his loutish captain.

Jessica Kiang, Variety, 5 Sep. 2023