Word of the Day : September 3, 2017

vociferous \voh-SIF-uh-rus\ adjective

Definition

: marked by or given to vehement insistent outcry

Examples

"A few days after NBC decided to cancel time-traveling adventure drama Timeless, the network changed its mind and renewed the series for a second season, thanks in part to a vociferous fan campaign…. — USA Today, 17 July 2017

"Legislation for a pilot program that would install speed-detecting cameras on the most dangerous traffic corridors … has been shelved after facing vociferous opposition and tepid support." — Robert Salonga, The Marin Independent Journal (California), 27 Apr. 2017

Did You Know?

Vociferous, deriving from a combination of the Latin vox ("voice") with ferre ("to carry"), is one of a number of English words that describe those who compel attention by being loud and insistent. Vociferous implies a vehement shouting or calling out, but to convey the insistency of a demand or protest, clamorous might be a better choice. You could use strident to suggest harsh and discordant noise in a protest, or obstreperous to imply loud, unruly and aggressive resistance to restraint. But someone who is noisy and turbulent due to high spirits rather than dissatisfaction might more aptly be called boisterous.

Aired September 3, 2017

All Merriam-Webster content is available at www.merriam-webster.com