Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective raucous contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of raucous are earsplitting, loud, stentorian, and strident. While all these words mean "marked by intensity or volume of sound," raucous implies a loud harsh grating tone, especially of voice, and may suggest rowdiness.

the raucous shouts of drunken revelers

When is it sensible to use earsplitting instead of raucous?

The meanings of earsplitting and raucous largely overlap; however, earsplitting implies loudness that is physically discomforting.

the earsplitting sound of a siren

Where would loud be a reasonable alternative to raucous?

The words loud and raucous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, loud applies to any volume above normal and may suggest undue vehemence or obtrusiveness.

loud shouts of protest

When is stentorian a more appropriate choice than raucous?

The words stentorian and raucous can be used in similar contexts, but stentorian implies great power and range.

an actor with a stentorian voice

When might strident be a better fit than raucous?

In some situations, the words strident and raucous are roughly equivalent. However, strident implies a rasping discordant but insistent quality, especially of voice.

the strident voices of hecklers

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 raucous Some nights, there is raucous laughter from the first moment. Jeremy Rellosa, Curbed, 2 Jan. 2025 The raucous soneos of guest vocalist Gilberto Santa Rosa — a Puerto Rican legend — are the cherry on the pie. Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2024 True, crowds were noisier and more raucous in audible expressions of engagement — hissing, cheering, applauding, with an occasional wisecrack shouted out — but the responses were collective and inspired by the story on screen. Thomas Doherty, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Dec. 2024 Expect music, dancing, and colorful costumes in a raucous, happy parade. Discover Puerto Rico, AFAR Media, 20 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for raucous 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for raucous
Adjective
  • Yet, amid a celebration that had been years in the making for many in the boisterous locker room, attention was already turning to what comes next.
    Nick Kosmider, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025
  • The boisterous music of their debut album Fine Art propels the antics, and Peppiatt’s psychedelic cinematography (plus, some use of claymation) brings a kinetic energy to the biopic genre.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 29 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Cricket’s rowdiest raw recruit gatecrashed the MCG with a stunning half-century and is now letting off the sledging megaphone in Sydney.
    Tim Ellis, Forbes, 4 Jan. 2025
  • Casting some of his Python buddies (Michael Palin, John Cleese) and legends like Sean Connery, Ian Holm, David Warner, and many more, Time Bandits is an imaginative fairy tale about a boy who travels through time with a group of rowdy thieves.
    Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 3 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Xavier was rambunctious, mischievous and a challenge to corral with schoolwork.
    Matt Schneidman, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
  • Their instructions to their designers, Ms. Han said, was to devise an interior that was clean, calm and clutter-free but also punctuated by creative details that were hard-wearing enough to stand up to rambunctious play.
    Tim McKeough, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • There’s lively interplay with Rick Rosato on bass and Jonathan Pinson on drums.
    Giovanni Russonello, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2025
  • Given its flavor and sensory profiles, Barbera is an ideal selection at lunch, especially as its lively acidity cuts through the fatty qualities of all types of salumi.
    Tom Hyland, Forbes, 7 Jan. 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
  • His personal airplane, a noisy 727, is banned from takeoff and landing between the hours of 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.
    Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2025
  • The screen rolls out from underneath the keyboard, with a noisy motor taking a few seconds to turn the device into a laptop with a very tall display.
    Barry Collins, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Follow more of our reporting on Deadly Dose Crime One Kansas police force’s approach to fighting fentanyl is driving down violent crime November 30, 2023 6:10 AM Government & Politics Missouri lawmakers push new charges for fentanyl dealers.
    Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 16 Jan. 2025
  • The prospect of requiring harsher penalties for pot possession than most violent crimes gave some Republicans pause at the wide-ranging hearing, which lasted for more than two hours.
    Ian Max Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The movie is both exquisite and rumbustious, stylized and energized.
    Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 5 May 2022
  • From 1657, when tea first became available in London’s coffeehouses, to the early seventeen-hundreds, when women were invited in, recreational tea drinking was the preserve of rumbustious gentlemen.
    David Kortava, The New Yorker, 17 Dec. 2021

Thesaurus Entries Near raucous

Cite this Entry

“Raucous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/raucous. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on raucous

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