“Obstreperous” is a fancy word that describes someone or something that is noisy, unruly, difficult to control, or stubbornly resistant to being managed or quieted down. It’s often used to refer to people or things that are loud, rowdy, or hard to handle because they’re not listening or cooperating. For example, a child who refuses to follow instructions and creates a lot of commotion could be described as obstreperous.
Table of contents:
- Meaning and definition of ‘obstreperous’
- How to pronounce obstreperous?
- Synonyms and Antonyms of obstreperous
- Examples of ‘obstreperous’ in sentences
- Rhyming words with obstreperous
- Other forms of ‘obstreperous’
- How can you use ‘obstreperous’ in your spoken English?
Meaning and definition of ‘obstreperous’
The term “obstreperous” is an adjective that describes someone or something as being noisy, difficult to control, unruly, or stubbornly defiant. It is used to characterize individuals or situations that are disruptive, rowdy, or resistant to authority or guidance. People or things labeled as “obstreperous” often behave loudly, disruptively, or in a disorderly manner, making it challenging to manage or control them.
How to pronounce obstreperous?
Here are some simple tips to help pronounce “obstreperous”:
- Break it into syllables: Ob-strep-er-ous.
- Emphasize the second syllable: strep. Say it a bit louder and longer than the others.
- The “o” sounds like the “o” in “pot” or “hot.”
- The “ous” at the end sounds like “us” or “əs.”
Putting it together, it’s pronounced “ub-STREP-er-us.” Stress a bit on the “strep” part, and say it in a smooth, flowing manner. Practice saying it slowly at first, then gradually increase your speed.
Synonyms and Antonyms of obstreperous
- Synonyms: blatant, boisterous, clamorous, strident, vociferous, blusterous, booming, disorderly, loud, out of hand, piercing, raising Cain, raising the roof, rambunctious, riotous, rowdy, screaming, strepitous, tumultuous, unmanageable, unruly, uproarious, wild.
- Antonyms: silent, quiet, still, calm, noiseless, subdued, soundless, hushed, obedient, docile, amiable, amenable, cooperative, compliant, agreeable, tractable, deferential, submissive, acquiescent, conformable, biddable, behaved, polite, obliging, courteous, well-bred, respectful, disciplined, yielding, obsequious, servile, ruly, slavish, orderly, proper, subservient, decorous, mannerly, manageable, controllable, trainable, kowtowing, governable.
Examples of ‘obstreperous’ in sentences
- The obstreperous crowd at the concert refused to settle down, chanting and cheering loudly.
- The obstreperous toddler ran around the room, ignoring all attempts to calm him down.
- The meeting became quite obstreperous as different opinions clashed and voices grew louder.
- Her dog was usually obedient, but today he was feeling obstreperous, barking at everything that moved.
- The classroom was typically calm, but one particularly obstreperous student disrupted the entire lesson with constant interruptions.
Rhyming words with obstreperous
- Prosperous
- Caperous
- Tumultuous
- Lustrous
- Sclerous
Other forms of ‘obstreperous’
The word “obstreperous” is primarily an adjective. Here are the other forms of “obstreperous” with explanations and examples:
1. Obstreperously (adverb): This form describes how something is done in an obstreperous manner.
- Example: The children were running obstreperously around the house, making a lot of noise and chaos.
2. Obstreperousness (noun): This form refers to the quality or state of being obstreperous.
- Example: His obstreperousness made it challenging for the teachers to maintain order in the classroom.
These forms allow for variations in how the word is used in sentences, either to describe actions done in an obstreperous manner (adverb) or to talk about the quality or state of being obstreperous (noun).
How can you use ‘obstreperous’ in your spoken English?
Here are some tips on using the word “obstreperous” in spoken English:
- Understand its meaning: Before using the word, ensure you understand its meaning clearly. “Obstreperous” refers to something or someone being noisy, unruly, or difficult to control.
- Context matters: Use the word in appropriate situations where you want to convey a sense of disorderliness, disobedience, or unruliness. It’s often used to describe rowdy behavior or situations that are hard to manage.
- Practice pronunciation: Pronounce the word slowly at first, breaking it into syllables if needed (ob-strep-er-ous), and then gradually increase your speed. This can help you feel more confident using it in conversation.
- Use it naturally: Incorporate “obstreperous” into your sentences when discussing situations involving disruptive behavior, loudness, or unmanageable circumstances. For instance, “The party became quite obstreperous when the music got louder and people started dancing on tables.”
- Simplify if necessary: If you feel the word might be too complex for a particular conversation or audience, consider using simpler synonyms like “loud,” “rowdy,” or “unruly” to convey a similar meaning.
- Be mindful of the setting: Choose your words based on the formality of the conversation. “Obstreperous” might be more appropriate in formal or educational discussions rather than casual chats.
Explore more:
Sources:
