obstreperous
[uhb-strep-er-uhs]
- resisting control or restraint in a difficult manner; unruly.
- noisy, clamorous, or boisterous: obstreperous children.
Show More
Origin of obstreperous
Synonyms
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comAntonyms
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
lawlessnessrecalcitrancefractiousnessrefractorinessimprudenceobstinacyperversenessrecklessnessintractabilityassertivenesswildnessornerinessrebelliousnesswillfulnessimpetuousnessimpulsivenessunmanageabilityExamples from the Web for obstreperousness
Historical Examples
Diogenes finally convalesced to his former state of ruggedness and obstreperousness.
Our Next-Door NeighborsBelle Kanaris Maniates
The visitor from across the Atlantic is surprised at the obstreperousness of the more vigorous members of the family.
Humanly SpeakingSamuel McChord Crothers
obstreperous
- noisy or rough, esp in resisting restraint or control
Show More
Word Origin
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.
Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper