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View synonyms for obstreperous

obstreperous

[ uhb-strep-er-uhs ]

adjective

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

    Synonyms: uncontrolled, refractory

    Antonyms: obedient

  2. noisy, clamorous, or boisterous:

    obstreperous children.

    Antonyms: calm



obstreperous

/ əbˈstrɛpərəs /

adjective

  1. noisy or rough, esp in resisting restraint or control
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • obˈstreperously, adverb
  • obˈstreperousness, noun
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Other Words From

  • ob·streper·ous·ly adverb
  • ob·streper·ous·ness ob·strep·e·ros·i·ty [uh, b-strep-, uh, -, ros, -i-tee], noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of obstreperous1

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

Origin of obstreperous1

C16: from Latin, from obstrepere, from ob- against + strepere to roar
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Example Sentences

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

From Salon

The next day, he remembered nothing but feeling remorseful — he knew from experience that he was a mean, obstreperous drunk.

She voted for Joe Biden, not because she was particularly thrilled with the Democrat but because he wasn’t the obstreperous incumbent.

"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

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