Quick answer
Obstreperous means noisy, unruly, and difficult to control. It is usually pronounced , and today it is still readable to modern audiences, even if it sounds more deliberate than everyday speech.
Word page
Obstreperous
Obstreperous means noisy, unruly, and difficult to control. It belongs to speech, noise, and verbal nonsense and works best in complaints about jargon, gossip, fuss, and the many noises people make with language. It is still understandable today, but it usually sounds more vivid and deliberate than ordinary modern vocabulary.
At a glance
speechnoiseverbal-nonsense
How to say it
Meaning in plain English
In plain English, obstreperous refers to noisy, unruly, and difficult to control. It is most useful when a plain label would tell the truth but miss the tone, flavor, or comic edge.
Why this word feels absurd
Obstreperous feels absurd because it sounds slightly overengineered, as if English kept bolting on syllables until the word itself became part of the performance.
Origin and history
Obstreperous is generally traced to origin uncertain. In modern use, the history matters less than the strong tone the word still carries.
Is this word still used today?
Obstreperous is uncommon today, but it still makes sense to modern readers because the tone and meaning come across quickly once you see it in context.
Example sentences
- The column dismissed the whole rumor as obstreperous.
- In the novel, one obstreperous is enough to derail the dinner party.
- She used obstreperous in the essay because the plain modern word felt too bland.
- The teacher paused to explain obstreperous before asking the class to use it in context.
- They kept repeating obstreperous because the sound of it was almost as memorable as the meaning.
When should you use this word?
Use obstreperous when you want a more vivid, characterful choice than the plain everyday alternative. It works especially well in complaints about jargon, gossip, fuss, and the many noises people make with language.
Similar words
anarchic, babble, bellow, blather, bloviate
Opposite or contrasting words
calm, clarity, order
Common questions
- What does obstreperous mean? noisy, unruly, and difficult to control.
- How do you pronounce obstreperous? It is commonly pronounced .
- Is obstreperous still used today? Obstreperous is uncommon today, but it still makes sense to modern readers because the tone and meaning come across quickly once you see it in context.
- When should you use obstreperous? Use obstreperous when you want a more vivid, characterful choice than the plain everyday alternative. It works especially well in complaints about jargon, gossip, fuss, and the many noises people make with language.
- What words are similar to obstreperous? Similar words include anarchic, babble, bellow, and blather.
Editorial note
Edited by Absurd Words. Last updated: May 9, 2026. See the editorial policy for how definitions, examples, labels, and update checks are handled on the site.