obstreperous
UK /əbˈstrep.ər.əs/ US /əbˈstrep.ɚ.əs/ Syllables: ob-strep-er-ous
Quick answer
Noisy, unruly, and difficult to control.
Obstreperous describes someone who is noisy, difficult to control and determined to resist orders. A group of children can be obstreperous at bedtime, and a guest who shouts and argues at a party is obstreperous too. The word suggests loud, stubborn disorder rather than real violence, and it is often used with a hint of humor. You will meet it in older novels, in court reports about disruptive behavior, and in writing about children or animals that will not behave.
"The obstreperous crowd had to be calmed by security."Meanings
- Noisy and difficult to control.
- Resisting orders in a loud, stubborn way.
Example sentences
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"The obstreperous crowd shouted down the speaker."
Level C2, Meaning 1
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"An obstreperous toddler can empty a whole shelf in a minute."
Level C2, Meaning 1
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"He grew obstreperous after a long wait in the cold."
Level C2, Meaning 2
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"The judge warned the obstreperous witness to be quiet."
Level C2, Meaning 2
Synonyms and antonyms
Look-alikes and common mistakes
- unruly : Unruly is the plainer word for hard to control. Obstreperous adds noise and a refusal to obey.
- obstinate : Obstinate means stubborn in a quiet way. Obstreperous is loud.
Word family and forms
Word partners
Words and phrases that often go with "obstreperous".
- an obstreperous child
- obstreperous behavior
- an obstreperous crowd
- grow obstreperous
- obstreperous and loud
- an obstreperous guest
Origin
Obstreperous comes from Latin obstreperus, meaning clamorous or noisy. It is related to the Latin verb obstrepere, to make a noise at, which joins ob-, meaning against, to strepere, to rattle. The word entered English in the 1590s.
Checked against: Wiktionary, the free dictionary, Dictionary.com.
How to remember it
It is a long, clattering word, which suits its meaning: a loud person who will not be held in.
Test yourself
Which word fits the gap? "The _____ crowd shouted down the speaker."
Answer: obstreperous
In your own words, what does "obstreperous" mean?
Noisy, unruly, and difficult to control.
Learn next at C2
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Sources and credits
- Wiktionary, the free dictionary (CC BY-SA 4.0) · used for the origin · checked Oct 19, 2026
- Dictionary.com · used for the origin · checked Oct 19, 2026
Last reviewed October 19, 2026. Report a mistake on this page