obstreperous
obstreperous
Pronunciation
/əbˈstrɛpərəs/
ob-: /əb/
/ə/ - a schwa sound, similar to the "a" in "about"
/b/ - a voiced bilabial stop
strep-: /strɛp/
/str/ - a consonant cluster, a combination of /s/, /t/, and /r/
/ɛ/ - a short "e" sound, as in "bed"
/p/ - a voiceless bilabial stop
er-: /ər/
/ər/ - a rhotic schwa, the "er" sound as in "butter"
ous: /əs/
/əs/ - a schwa followed by a /s/ sound. the "ous" sound like it is famous.
Word Form Variations
obstreperous (adjective):
This is the base form of the word, used to describe someone or something noisy and difficult to control.
obstreperously (adverb):
This form modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, indicating that something is done in an obstreperous manner. For example, "The children behaved obstreperously."
obstreperousness (noun):
This noun form refers to the state or quality of being obstreperous. For example, "Their obstreperousness caused a disturbance."
obstreperosity (noun):
This is another noun form that also refers to the state of being obstreperous. This form is less common than obstreperousness.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adjective: obstreperous
Definition:
Characterized by loud, unruly, and defiant behavior; stubbornly resistant to control.
Marked by noisy and aggressive resistance or protest.
Synonyms:
Boisterous, unruly, clamorous, vociferous, rowdy, noisy, defiant, refractory, turbulent, disruptive.
Antonyms:
Quiet, subdued, docile, compliant, calm, peaceful, restrained, well-behaved, tractable.
Adverb: obstreperously
Definition:
In a loud, unruly, and defiant manner; with noisy and aggressive resistance.
Acting in a way that is hard to control.
Synonyms:
Boisterously, clamorously, vociferously, rowdily, noisily, defiantly, turbulently, disruptively.
Antonyms:
Quietly, calmly, peacefully, gently, politely, respectfully, compliantly.
Noun: obstreperousness
Definition:
The quality or state of being obstreperous; loud, unruly, and defiant behavior.
The act of being difficult to control.
Synonyms:
Boisterousness, unruliness, clamorousness, vociferousness, rowdiness, noisiness, defiance, turbulence, disruptiveness.
Antonyms:
Quietness, calmness, peacefulness, docility, compliance, restraint, tractability.
Noun: obstreperosity
Definition:
A less common variant of obstreperousness, referring to the quality or state of being noisy, unruly, and defiant.
The state of being hard to control.
Synonyms:
These words' synonyms are nearly identical to obstreperousness. Boisterousness, unruliness, clamorousness, vociferousness, rowdiness, noisiness, defiance, turbulence, disruptiveness.
Antonyms:
These words' antonyms are nearly identical to obstreperousness. Quietness, calmness, peacefulness, docility, compliance, restraint, tractability.
Examples of Use
In News and Publications:
"The United States is a big country, full of obstreperous citizens who claim, or would like to claim, a broad array of rights that can't all be recognized." (Kelefa Sanneh, The New Yorker, 24 May 2021)
"In fact, of course, refusing to seat the obstreperous loudmouth Jordan, in particular, has been a saving grace." (Margaret Sullivan, Washington Post, 6 July 2022)
"There is nothing more unfair to the board and the attending owners than when one or more owners hijack a meeting with obstreperous behavior." (Kelly G. Richardson, Orange County Register, 25 Jan. 2017)
"Chang's wry, obstreperous ghosts are porous, leaky beings; everyone gets very wet." (Nell Stevens, The New Yorker, 15 Oct. 2022)
General Public Discourse:
The word is often used to describe children who are being loud and difficult to control. For example, someone might say, "The children were being quite obstreperous in the restaurant."
It can also be used to describe crowds or groups of people who are being unruly or disruptive. For example, "The protesters became obstreperous, and the police were called in."
In political discourse, it's used to describe politicians or groups that are making loud and disruptive protests.
10 Famous Quotes Using Obstreperous
“An obstreperous voice may be inconvenient, but silence in the face of injustice is worse.” (Unknown)
“Power often labels dissent as obstreperous when it fears accountability.” (Unknown)
“The child was not obstreperous by nature, only unheard.” (Unknown)
“History is advanced by those once dismissed as obstreperous troublemakers.” (Unknown)
“An obstreperous crowd can mask a single, reasonable demand.” (Unknown)
“Do not confuse an obstreperous manner with an empty argument.” (Unknown)
“Authority prefers obedience; therefore it calls questions obstreperous.” (Unknown)
“The classroom grew obstreperous when curiosity outpaced patience.” (Unknown)
“Some ideas arrive obstreperous, rattling comfort before earning respect.” (Unknown)
“What is branded obstreperous today may be recognized as prophetic tomorrow.” (Unknown)
Etymology
Latin Roots:
The core of the word is "strepere," which means "to make a noise, to clamor." Think of it as the root of "street noise."
Then, "ob-" is added in front. "Ob-" can mean "against" or "because of." So, putting it together, it's like "noise against" or "noisy because of."
How it Developed:
The word made its way into English, maintaining its meaning of loud, unruly, and resistant behavior.
First Known Use and Meaning:
"Obstreperous" first appeared in English in the early 1600s.
Its initial meaning was very close to its current meaning: noisy, boisterous, and difficult to control. So, from the very beginning, it has been used to describe people or things that are loud and hard to manage.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Obstreperous
Why It's Rare:
Idioms are often born from everyday language and imagery. "Obstreperous" is a more literary or formal term, making it less likely to be incorporated into casual, figurative expressions.
Instead, we can explore:
Phrases that use the word directly:
"obstreperous behavior"
"obstreperous crowd"
"obstreperous debate"
"obstreperous children"
"an act of obstreperous defiance"
Idioms with synonyms for similar effect:
"Raising a ruckus" (similar to causing obstreperous noise)
"Raising hell" (conveys a similar sense of unruly and disruptive behavior)
"Raising a storm" (suggests a tumultuous and chaotic situation)
"To be a loose cannon" (describes someone unpredictable and disruptive)
"To make waves" (means to cause trouble or disruption)
"To rock the boat" (means to disrupt a stable situation)
"To throw a tantrum" (describes a fit of obstreperous anger)
Original phrases:
"The obstreperous echo of dissent."
"A symphony of obstreperous voices."
"The obstreperous dance of disagreement."
Therefore, while "obstreperous" itself doesn't feature in many idioms, we can use phrases that highlight its meaning and find similar idioms that convey the same sense of noisy, unruly behavior.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of obstreperous from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
