OBSTREPEROUSNESS Synonyms: 64 Similar and Opposite Words

obstreperousness

noun

Definition of obstreperousness

as in rebellion

refusal to obey the toddler occasionally felt the need to demonstrate her independence with a foot-stamping obstreperousness

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for obstreperousness

Noun

We’ve been told that Juliette is a once-in-a-generation leader, capable of pushing a rebellion further than it’s ever gone before.

— Noel Murray, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026
So using a Mexican bean in a staple of Italian home cooking was surprising, almost like an act of rebellion.

— Margy Rochlin, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of rebellion

Noun

Appointments to Iran’s senior security leadership in the past month, however, have signaled Tehran’s defiance after weathering decades of sanctions.

— David Rising, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Even in that moment of defiance, though, he is drawn back toward his actual father.

— Christopher Cox, Vanity Fair, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of defiance

Noun

The public weighted plain disrespect – how people are treated, apart from the economics – significantly more heavily than the philosophers did.

— ESMT Berlin, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
In the millions upon millions of words written and said about this World Cup, who has shown disrespect to players from Haiti, or any other smaller nation?

— Nick Miller, New York Times, 27 July 2026

Definition of disrespect

Noun

Those leaders who ignore or flout the law aren’t merely unethical but fatally arrogant, putting their childish willfulness over the wisdom of generations.

— David Brooks, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026
Though the Durutti Column had been a disaster, Wilson was fascinated by the guitarist, who admired punk’s willfulness even though his own musical taste tended toward jazz, blues, and the classical tradition.

— Brad Shoup, Pitchfork, 24 Jan. 2026

Definition of willfulness

Noun

Whether writing five decades ago or today, the genre’s most insightful commentators have always observed how punk fuses rebelliousness with commodification, capitalism with resistance.

— Kyle Devine, Longreads, 14 July 2026
Marji’s rebelliousness, both admirable and terrifying for those who love her, is her salient characteristic.

— Hillary Chute, The Atlantic, 9 June 2026

Definition of rebelliousness

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

obstreperous

obstreperousness

obstruct

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Obstreperousness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obstreperousness. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of obstreperousness

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

matriculate

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes