WordValerambunctious
uncontrollably exuberant
In more detail
1. (adjective) noisy, energetic, and difficult to control
2. (adjective) boisterous and rowdy in behavior
Examples
- 1. The rambunctious children ran around the playground screaming and laughing.
- 2. The rambunctious crowd cheered loudly at the concert.
How to use rambunctious
Rambunctious describes people or groups that are loud, energetic, and hard to control, often with a playful or boisterous quality rather than malicious intent. It carries a mildly disapproving or exasperated tone but is sometimes affectionate, especially when applied to children or animals. It differs from unruly by emphasizing the noisy, exuberant energy alongside the difficulty of control.
Common phrases
- rambunctious child
- rambunctious crowd
- rambunctious behavior
- rambunctious energy
- rambunctious group
Synonyms
boisterous · rowdy · unruly · exuberant · raucous
Opposites
quiet · docile · subdued
Word family
rambunctiously (adverb) · rambunctiousness (noun)
A common mistake
Learners sometimes use rambunctious to describe purely negative or aggressive behavior, but it typically implies a degree of playfulness or uncontrolled high spirits rather than genuine malice or aggression.
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