obstreperous

American  

[uhb-strep-er-uhs] / əbˈstrɛp ər əs /

adjective

1. resisting control or restraint in a difficult manner; unruly.

   Synonyms:

   refractory, uncontrolled

   Antonyms:

   obedient

2. noisy, clamorous, or boisterous.

   obstreperous children.

   Antonyms:

   calm

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obstreperous British  

/ əbˈstrɛpərəs /

adjective

1. noisy or rough, esp in resisting restraint or control

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Other Word Forms

• obstreperosity noun
• obstreperously adverb
• obstreperousness noun

Etymology

Origin of obstreperous

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin obstreperus “clamorous,” akin to obstrepere “to make a noise at” ( ob- ob- + strepere “to rattle”); -ous

Example Sentences

This is more than a reissue; it is a reclamation and a delightfully obstreperous collection of material.

From Salon

The backlash in the obstreperous legislature prompted his resignation a day later.

From The Wall Street Journal

Even at 77, he is no more than an obstreperous child, and an unhinged and dangerous one at that.

From Salon

"Exacerbating defendants' obstreperous conduct is their continued reliance on bogus arguments in papers and oral argument," Engoron wrote in the filing.

From Salon

The judge also sanctioned the defendants' lawyers for making "preposterous" legal arguments and fueling their clients' "obstreperous" conduct.

From Reuters