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 The Kibbie Dome is know to be intense and raucous. Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 5 Sep. 2025 The Golden State fans in black and violet get even louder, live on the edge of raucous and dance like no one’s watching, whether the music is by Mac Dre or Rihanna. Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025 Borrowing its drivetrain from the efficient Civic hybrid, suspension from the raucous Civic Type R and debuting a new system that mimics a manual transmission for sporty driving, the Prelude aims to put a performance spin on Honda’s growing line of hybrids. Mark Phelan, Freep.com, 4 Sep. 2025 Lady Gaga's raucous Mayhem Ball is hitting pause after the star suffered a vocal strain. Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for raucous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for raucous
Adjective
  • But theater owners, producers and theatrical labor unions strongly opposed the plan, staging boisterous protests in Times Square and packing community hearings in recent months.
    Dave Smith, Fortune, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Staffordshire terriers are described by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as being affectionate towards family and good with young children, and with good breeding can be a playful and boisterous companion.
    Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • In Aurora, some of the attendees became drunk and rowdy.
    Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Flipper’s Boogie Palace at LaCienega and Santa Monica was also the A lister’s night spot of its time, the roller disco home of the trendy (including a young Laura Dern), many in glitter hot pants ready for the rowdy rink.
    Merle Ginsberg, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • That all changed a year ago, when Mohamed — now a rambunctious 13-year-old — was able to enter an innovative self-learning program delivered by UNICEF with funding from Education Cannot Wait (ECW), the global fund for education in emergencies and protracted crises hosted by UNICEF.
    Forbes.com, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Scientist say the incidents are not aggressive and should not be referred to as attacks but as encounters with playful, rambunctious animals.
    Ramon Padilla, USA Today, 17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Expect a lively mix of chef demos, book signings, brunch-style tastings, and conversation with some of the region’s most influential women.
    Rai Mincey, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
  • The kind of free speech and lively discourse that Kirk espoused involved spreading hateful conspiracy theories and misinformation.
    Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 17 Sep. 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
  • Costco also carries accessories for bluetooth that improve phone communication, make TV watching easier, and conversation sharper; remote controls, clip-on microphones for noisy situations; or a TV streamer box that delivers high-quality sound directly to your hearing aid.
    Shawn Price, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
  • The mic captures the user’s voice with a richer and more natural timbre and ensures clarity in noisy surroundings.
    Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 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
Adjective
  • That act lowered the age at which children who are accused of certain violent crimes can be tried as adults from 16 to 14.
    Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Just this morning, DHS took violent offenders off the streets with arrests for assault, DUI, and felony stalking.
    Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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