obstreperous

[ uhb-strep-er-uhs ]

adjective

1. resisting control or restraint in a difficult manner; unruly.

   Synonyms: uncontrolled, refractory

   Antonyms: obedient

2. noisy, clamorous, or boisterous:

   obstreperous children.

   Antonyms: calm

obstreperous

/ əbˈstrɛpərəs /

adjective

1. noisy or rough, esp in resisting restraint or control

Derived Forms

• obˈstreperously, adverb
• obˈstreperousness, noun

Other Words From

• ob·streper·ous·ly adverb
• ob·streper·ous·ness ob·strep·e·ros·i·ty [uh, b-strep-, uh, -, ros, -i-tee], noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of obstreperous¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin obstreperus “clamorous,” akin to obstrepere “to make a noise at” ( ob- ob- + strepere “to rattle”); -ous

Word History and Origins

Origin of obstreperous¹

C16: from Latin, from obstrepere, from ob- against + strepere to roar

Example Sentences

Even at 77, he is no more than an obstreperous child, and an unhinged and dangerous one at that.

From Salon

The next day, he remembered nothing but feeling remorseful — he knew from experience that he was a mean, obstreperous drunk.

From Los Angeles Times

She voted for Joe Biden, not because she was particularly thrilled with the Democrat but because he wasn’t the obstreperous incumbent.

From Los Angeles Times

"Exacerbating defendants' obstreperous conduct is their continued reliance on bogus arguments in papers and oral argument," Engoron wrote in the filing.

From Salon

The judge also sanctioned the defendants' lawyers for making "preposterous" legal arguments and fueling their clients' "obstreperous" conduct.

From Reuters