Obstreperous Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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obstreperous

[əb'strɛpərəs ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

behavior

noisy and difficult to control

Synonyms

boisterous, loud, rowdy, unruly.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
obstreperous	Used to describe someone or something that is aggressively noisy and resists control. It often carries a negative connotation. The obstreperous child refused to follow any instructions. At the meeting, the obstreperous audience interrupted the speaker repeatedly.
boisterous	Describes someone or something that is noisy, energetic, and cheerful. It can be used in both positive and neutral contexts. The boisterous crowd cheered loudly for their team. Their boisterous laughter filled the room.
unruly	Refers to someone or something that is difficult to control or manage, often due to disorderly and disruptive behavior. This word carries a negative connotation. The unruly children were making it hard for the teacher to focus on the lesson. The protesters became unruly, leading to a police intervention.
rowdy	Describes people, especially groups, that are noisy, disorderly, and potentially disruptive. It usually has a negative connotation. The rowdy teenagers caused a commotion in the shopping mall. After the sports event, some of the fans became rowdy and unruly.
loud	Refers to something that has a high volume. It can describe sounds or people and is neutral but can take on a negative connotation depending on the situation. The music at the party was too loud for me to hear anyone. Her voice was loud enough to be heard across the room.

Examples of usage

The obstreperous children were running around the house, making a lot of noise.
The obstreperous crowd refused to listen to the speaker.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

person

stubbornly resistant to control or authority

Synonyms

contrary, defiant, insubordinate, rebellious.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
obstreperous	Used to describe someone who is noisy and difficult to control, often causing a scene. The obstreperous crowd made it hard to hear the speaker. The child became obstreperous when denied another piece of cake.
defiant	Used when someone openly resists or refuses to obey authority. The defiant teenager refused to obey the curfew. She gave him a defiant look before walking away.
rebellious	Often used for someone who resists authority, control, or convention, usually in a larger, more systemic context. The rebellious group organized protests against the new law. In her youth, she was quite rebellious, always challenging societal norms.
insubordinate	Describes someone who disobeys orders from a superior, usually in a work or organizational setting. The insubordinate employee refused to follow the manager's instructions. His insubordinate behavior led to immediate disciplinary action.
contrary	Typically used to depict someone who is purposely disagreeable or opposite in nature. Her contrary opinions often led to heated arguments. He's always contrary, never agreeing with anyone else's plans.

Examples of usage

The obstreperous teenager refused to follow any rules.
She was known for her obstreperous attitude towards her supervisors.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Literature

This term is often used in literature to describe unruly characters, enhancing the image of chaos.
Authors like Charles Dickens and Mark Twain employed the term to capture the essence of boisterous characters in their works.

Pop Culture

The term is sometimes used to describe over-the-top behavior in films or reality shows, emphasizing unrestrained chaos.
Certain famous characters, like Tom and Jerry, can be described as obstreperous due to their loud antics and rebellious nature.

Psychology

Studies show that environments with obstreperous behavior can affect concentration and stress levels.
Children displaying obstreperous behavior might be indicating their need for attention or testing boundaries.

Education

In classrooms, obstreperous behavior can disrupt learning and challenge teachers to manage dynamics effectively.
Schools often implement strategies to handle obstreperous students, fostering environments for better learning outcomes.

Origin of 'obstreperous'

Main points about word origin

Derived from the Latin word 'obstreperus', meaning 'noisy' or 'clamorous'.
The prefix 'ob-' typically means 'against', while 'strepere' means 'to make a noise'.
The word has been in English usage since the late 16th century.

The word 'obstreperous' originated from the Latin word 'obstreperus', which means noisy or boisterous. Over time, it evolved to describe someone or something that is unruly, difficult to control, or defiant. The term has been used in English language since the 17th century, gaining popularity for its vivid description of disruptive behavior.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #32,518 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.

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32515 encrusting
32516 zephyr
32517 twister
32518 obstreperous
32519 emotionless
32520 turreted
32521 lyricist
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