earsplitting implies loudness that is physically discomforting.
the earsplitting sound of a siren
raucous implies a loud harsh grating tone, especially of voice, and may suggest rowdiness.
the raucous shouts of drunken revelers
strident implies a rasping discordant but insistent quality, especially of voice.
the strident voices of hecklers
Example Sentences
He stepped over one man, avoided a raucous group of inebriated merchant seamen staggering for their boats, ran up his steps into the large foyer … James Clavell, Gai-Jin, 1994The scene was reminiscent of a college fraternity reunion, with plenty of backslapping, joking, hugging and raucous laughter. Lewis Beale, Chicago Tribune, 15 Feb. 1987On the ledge of rock above this strange couple there stood three solemn buzzards, who, at the sight of the new comers uttered raucous screams of disappointment and flapped sullenly away. Arthur Conan Doyle, A Study in Scarlet, 1887 the partying neighbors kept up their raucous laughter half the night
Recent Examples on the WebThe vote came during a raucous meeting where protesters shouted down council members and, at one point, brought the meeting to a halt. Julia Wick, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2022 The Town Council narrowly voted to approve the change late Monday night during a raucous meeting that lasted for more than four hours. From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 19 May 2022 Videos show disc jockeys blaring raucous music as thousands of Hindus—mostly young men—spilled over from the chowk into nearby lanes. Supriya Sharma, Quartz, 15 Apr. 2022 In 2006, the neo-Nazi and white supremacist group Aryan Nations held a raucous meeting at the building, and, a year later, the American Nazi Party held a post-rally celebration at the shop.NBC News, 23 Mar. 2022 One parent was arrested during a raucous board meeting about the district’s policies for transgender students.Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2022 Utah Senate leaders expressed regret Wednesday afternoon following Tuesday’s raucous committee meeting that resulted in an audience member being hauled out in handcuffs. Bryan Schott, The Salt Lake Tribune, 3 Mar. 2022 With Bobby Zimmerman rocking on piano, the Golden Chords played a talent show in the school auditorium in 1957, and the principal pulled the plug on the raucous music. Chris Riemenschneider, Star Tribune, 20 May 2021 All-Stars was announced, the ovation crescendoed in raucous celebration. Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 19 July 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
Latin raucus hoarse; akin to Latin ravis hoarseness