Synonyms of obstreperous

obstreperous

adjective

əb-ˈstre-p(ə-)rəs 

1

as in outspoken

engaging in or marked by loud and insistent cries especially of protest

an obstreperous crowd protesting the government's immigration policy

Synonyms & Similar Words

• outspoken
• vocal
• vociferous
• blatant
• noisy
• clamorous
• shrill
• clamant
• yawping
• boisterous
• squawking
• vociferating
• caterwauling
• yowling
• rowdy
• vociferant
• raucous
• loudmouthed
• strident
• robustious
• dissonant
• brazen
• uproarious
• cacophonous
• brassy
• earsplitting
• clangorous
• discordant
• rackety
• blustering
• grating
• booming
• blaring
• dinning

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• silent
• quiet
• still
• calm
• noiseless
• subdued
• soundless
• hushed

2

as in rebellious

given to resisting authority or another's control

the club's president was at his wits' end with obstreperous members who refused to cooperate

Synonyms & Similar Words

• rebellious
• rebel
• defiant
• stubborn
• recalcitrant
• unruly
• willful
• contrary
• contumacious
• disobedient
• insubordinate
• intractable
• wayward
• mischievous
• ungovernable
• balky
• restive
• naughty
• rigid
• refractory
• adamant
• dogged
• untoward
• unrelenting
• dissident
• incompliant
• uncooperative
• froward
• rude
• uncontrollable
• wild
• insurgent
• bad
• recusant
• mutinous
• obstinate
• resistant
• peevish
• obdurate
• unmanageable
• negativistic
• noncooperative
• fractious
• implacable
• uncompromising
• mulish
• pertinacious
• opinionated
• headstrong
• inflexible
• unbending
• disorderly
• unyielding
• immovable
• hardheaded
• wrongheaded
• impudent
• adamantine
• perverse
• monkeying
• insolent
• undisciplined
• pigheaded
• errant
• ornery
• ungracious
• disrespectful
• unmannerly
• uncivil
• discourteous
• impertinent
• self-willed
• uncouth
• inconsiderate
• nonconformist
• impolite
• ill-mannered
• misbehaving
• ill-natured
• ill-bred
• monkeyish

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• obedient
• docile
• amiable
• amenable
• cooperative
• compliant
• agreeable
• tractable
• deferential
• submissive
• acquiescent
• conformable
• biddable
• behaved
• polite
• obliging
• courteous
• well-bred
• respectful
• disciplined
• yielding
• obsequious
• servile
• ruly
• slavish
• orderly
• proper
• subservient
• decorous
• mannerly
• manageable
• controllable
• trainable
• kowtowing
• governable

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of obstreperous are blatant, boisterous, clamorous, strident, and vociferous. While all these words mean "so loud or insistent as to compel attention," obstreperous suggests unruly and aggressive noisiness and resistance to restraint.

the obstreperous demonstrators were arrested

Where would blatant be a reasonable alternative to obstreperous?

The words blatant and obstreperous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, blatant implies an offensive bellowing or insensitive loudness.

blatant rock music

a blatant clamor for impeachment

When can boisterous be used instead of obstreperous?

The words boisterous and obstreperous can be used in similar contexts, but boisterous suggests a noisiness and turbulence due to high spirits.

a boisterous crowd of party goers

When is clamorous a more appropriate choice than obstreperous?

The meanings of clamorous and obstreperous largely overlap; however, clamorous may imply insistency as well as vociferousness in demanding or protesting.

clamorous demands for prison reforms

When might strident be a better fit than obstreperous?

In some situations, the words strident and obstreperous are roughly equivalent. However, strident suggests harsh and discordant noise.

heard the strident cry of the crow

In what contexts can vociferous take the place of obstreperous?

The synonyms vociferous and obstreperous are sometimes interchangeable, but vociferous implies a vehement shouting or calling out.

vociferous cries of protest and outrage

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of obstreperous

And only DeMichelle’s Marguerite has the necessary command to bring this obstreperous monarch to heel. — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026

And when intelligence confirms that one of their vessels is engaged in armed smuggling operations, the president need not convene an obstreperous congressional committee before acting in such a manner to defend the American people. — Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2025

All at once, Vance had made an obstreperous return to the center of the national stage—and so did the memes. — Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 19 Mar. 2025

In those days, even small neighborhood theaters employed uniformed ushers to guide latecomers to their seats with a flashlight, patrol the aisles, and handle obstreperous customers. — Thomas Doherty, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Dec. 2024

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