1
Loud opposition
Expressing disagreement forcefully and repeatedly.
Example
Vociferous critics dominated the public meeting.
vociferous
/vəˈsɪfərəs/ · vuh-SIF-uh-ruhsadjective
Loud, forceful, and insistent in expressing an opinion.
Use vociferous for people or opposition expressed with emphatic volume and persistence.
What vociferous Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Emphatic support
Advocating a position with conspicuous intensity.
Example
The proposal also attracted vociferous supporters.
3
Insistent demand
Making a request impossible to ignore.
Example
Residents were vociferous in demanding safer crossings.
Use vociferous Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
Vociferous critics dominated the public meeting.
The proposal also attracted vociferous supporters.
Residents were vociferous in demanding safer crossings.
Precision Matters
Vociferous overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
vociferous
vs.Uses loud and abundant expression.
laconic
Uses very few words.
vociferous
vs.Describes manner of expression.
adamant
Describes firmness of position.
vociferous
vs.Can support or oppose.
detractor
Is specifically a critic.
vociferous
vs.Is forcefully expressed.
palpable
Is readily felt or perceived.
Test vociferous in Context
The group expresses opposition loudly and insistently.
1
A small but ___ group attended every hearing, loudly repeating its objections and demanding that the project be cancelled.