Dictionary.com
definitions

obstreperous

[ uhb-strep-er-uhs ]
/ əbˈstrɛp ər əs /
||
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR obstreperous ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

resisting control or restraint in a difficult manner; unruly.
noisy, clamorous, or boisterous: obstreperous children.

RELATED WORDS

lawlessness, recalcitrance, fractiousness, refractoriness, imprudence, obstinacy, perverseness, recklessness, intractability, assertiveness, wildness, orneriness, rebelliousness, willfulness, impetuousness, impulsiveness, unmanageability

Nearby words

  1. obstinacy,
  2. obstinance,
  3. obstinate,
  4. obstinately,
  5. obstipation,
  6. obstruct,
  7. obstructed testis,
  8. obstruction,
  9. obstructionism,
  10. obstructionist

Origin of obstreperous

1590–1600; < Latin obstreperus clamorous, akin to obstrepere to make a noise at (ob- ob- + strepere to rattle); see -ous
ANTONYMS FOR obstreperous
1. obedient. 2. calm.
SEE MORE ANTONYMS FOR obstreperous ON THESAURUS.COM
Related formsob·strep·er·ous·ly, adverbob·strep·er·ous·ness, ob·strep·e·ros·i·ty [uhb-strep-uh-ros-i-tee] /əbˌstrɛp əˈrɒs ɪ ti/, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for obstreperousness

  • Diogenes finally convalesced to his former state of ruggedness and obstreperousness.

    Our Next-Door Neighbors|Belle Kanaris Maniates

  • The visitor from across the Atlantic is surprised at the obstreperousness of the more vigorous members of the family.

    Humanly Speaking|Samuel McChord Crothers
British Dictionary definitions for obstreperousness

obstreperous

/ (əbˈstrɛpərəs) /

adjective

noisy or rough, esp in resisting restraint or control
Derived Formsobstreperously, adverbobstreperousness, noun

Word Origin for obstreperous

C16: from Latin, from obstrepere, from ob- against + strepere to roar
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
Word Origin and History for obstreperousness

obstreperous

adj.

c.1600, from Latin obstreperus "clamorous," from obstrepere "drown with noise, make a noise against, oppose noisily," from ob "against" (see ob-) + strepere "make a noise," from PIE *strep-, said to be imitative (cf. Latin stertare "to snore," Old Norse þrapt "chattering," Old English þræft "quarrel"). Related: Obstreperously; obstreperousness.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper