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

---

obstreperous British  

/ əbˈstrɛpərəs /

adjective

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

---

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”); see -ous

Explanation

Obstreperous means boisterous, noisy, aggressive, defiant. You’ve probably seen an obstreperous child in the grocery store, pulling away from her mother, screaming at the top of her lungs. If you’ve been to a large concert where the band doesn't come on stage for hours, you might have been part of an obstreperous crowd: increasingly impatient, with fights breaking out, things thrown up onto the stage, and demands being shouted, "Give us some music before the night is out!" Some people are kind and gentle with strangers, but around their own family turn obstreperous, shouting "You never loved me!" at their mom when she gives them the smaller of two cookies.

Example Sentences

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 6, 2025

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

From Salon • Jan. 28, 2024

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

From Reuters • Sep. 26, 2023

Servants dance attendance on this obstreperous youngster, whose haughtiness is no doubt inflamed by her cold, aristocratic mother and distracted military captain father.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 28, 2023

Though he could be a sweet boy, he was often short-tempered and obstreperous.

From "Unbroken" by Laura Hillenbrand