Dictionary.com

obstreperous

[ uhb-strep-er-uhs ]
/ əbˈstrɛp ər əs /
See synonyms for: obstreperous / obstreperously / obstreperousness on Thesaurus.com

adjective

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

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Origin of obstreperous

1590–1600; <Latin obstreperus clamorous, akin to obstrepere to make a noise at (ob-ob- + strepere to rattle); see -ous

OTHER WORDS FROM obstreperous

ob·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. 2021

Words related to obstreperous

boisterous, clamorous, disorderly, loud, piercing, rambunctious, riotous, rowdy, unmanageable, unruly, uproarious, vociferous, wild, booming, blusterous, out of hand, screaming, strepitous

Example sentences from the Web for obstreperous

  • 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 obstreperous

obstreperous
/ (əbˈstrɛpərəs) /

adjective

noisy or rough, esp in resisting restraint or control

Derived forms of obstreperous

obstreperously, 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