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

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 raucous Tamblyn and his bandmates provided music for and appeared in several B movies and exploitation films of the era, including Get Yourself a College Girl and the notorious Riot on Sunset Strip, which features the band playing the title song in a raucous underground club. Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 24 Mar. 2025 Before Trump entered Wells Fargo Arena in Philadelphia to a raucous cheer from fans, some Penn State wrestlers shared their thoughts on Trump arriving to watch their attempts at a fourth straight national championship. Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 23 Mar. 2025 The raucous Democratic town halls come as Democrats have sought to target their Republican counterparts using town halls to target GOP lawmakers in their own districts. Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 21 Mar. 2025 After a two-year hiatus, South Park is gearing up for a raucous return, with the season 27 trailer indicating that things are about to get even crazier. Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 2 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for raucous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for raucous
Adjective
  • In some cases, locations are banning unaccompanied minors and large groups of teen boys in an attempt to curb any boisterous stunts.
    Nick Romano, EW.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • While the personalities of Marchand and Tarasenko are different — Marchand more boisterous, Tarasenko more stoic — the impact each provides is similar.
    Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Two of Basem’s teenage students — the older, rowdy Yacoub (Mahmoud Bakri) and the younger, booksmart Adam (Muhammad Abed El Rahman) — share his class despite their age difference, owing to Yacoub’s stint in Israeli detention.
    Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 11 Apr. 2025
  • While that's good for theaters, it's proven to be, well, less good for their employees, who've been forced to contend with crowds of rowdy, popcorn-chucking teens.
    Randall Colburn, EW.com, 11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • White’s rambunctious guitars crackled with radio-transmitter static and whistled in high-frequency pitches.
    Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Following guest appearances in Wanted: Dead or Alive, 77 Sunset Strip, Rescue 8, The Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse and Sugarfoot, among other TV series, Jay North debuted as rambunctious Dennis Mitchell in Dennis the Menace in 1959.
    Marc Berman, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Panelists had been carefully chosen and the moderators ensured lively debates took place.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • To introduce persimmon in a balanced way, Bassford recommends incorporating the color into decorative touches like wallpaper, upholstery, or bedding for a lively yet harmonious effect.
    Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Apr. 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
  • Our emissions are simply too loud, too noisy, and too difficult to remove.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 16 Apr. 2025
  • The resulting truck was so noisy it couldn’t be sold in several states, including California, Florida, and Maryland.
    Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Third, the violent reaction in financial markets that followed Mr. Trump's latest tariff salvo could persuade him to change course.
    Alain Sherter, CBS News, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Adams said the pair had discussed how to combat violent migrant gangs and embedding more New York Police Department officers into federal task forces.
    Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 9 Apr. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Raucous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/raucous. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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