1 rambunctious | Definition of rambunctious

rambunctious

adjective
ram·​bunc·​tious | \ ram-ˈbəŋk-shÉ™s How to pronounce rambunctious (audio) \

Definition of rambunctious

: marked by uncontrollable exuberance : unruly

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Other Words from rambunctious

rambunctiously adverb
rambunctiousness noun

Synonyms & Antonyms for rambunctious

Synonyms

boisterous, hell-raising, knockabout, raucous, robustious, roisterous, rollicking, rowdy, rumbustious [chiefly British]

Antonyms

orderly

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Rambunctious Has (Possible) British Origins

Rambunctious first appeared in print in 1830, at a time when the fast-growing United States was forging its identity and indulging in a fashion for colorful new coinages suggestive of the young nation's optimism and exuberance. "Rip-roaring," "scalawag," "hornswoggle," and "skedaddle" are other examples of the lively language of that era. Did Americans alter the largely British "rumbustious" because it sounded, well, British? That could be. "Rumbustious," which first appeared in Britain in the late 1700s, was probably based on "robustious," a much older adjective that meant both "robust" and "boisterous."

Examples of rambunctious in a Sentence

that beach is often taken over by packs of rambunctious young people, so don't go there expecting peace and quiet

Recent Examples on the Web

Across the Yellow Trail from The Gathering Place is the BP Grandstand, where the rafters were full of lively and rambunctious rodeo-goers, eager to cheer on their favorite cowboys and cowgirls at the Alaska Tough Enough to Wear Pink Ram Rodeo. Samantha Davenport, Anchorage Daily News, "Daredevils, funnel cake, bonsai: Scenes from the Alaska State Fair," 29 Aug. 2019 Apple Daily, once a lowbrow rag that ran prostitute reviews, has evolved into a more serious, though still rambunctious, journal of political and social news with a decidedly antigovernment and anti-Beijing slant. Andrew Higgins, New York Times, "A Hong Kong ‘Troublemaker’ With a Clean Conscience," 23 Aug. 2019 Is there an argument that a diminished and destabilized Israel — or an Israel consumed in fire, as Representative Omar’s rambunctious little Hamas buddies would prefer — is in the interest of the United States? Kevin D. Williamson, National Review, "America’s Other ‘Special Relationship’ Remains Worth Preserving," 18 Aug. 2019 For a fleeting moment, a lightning bolt works like a giant, rambunctious radio tower. Matt Simon, WIRED, "The Bonkers Tech That Detects Lightning 6,000 Miles Away," 16 Aug. 2019 The supporting players are well-chosen, particularly Goldberg, whose saucy turn as Stella's rambunctious sidekick is at once hilarious and heart-rending. Duane Byrge, The Hollywood Reporter, "'How Stella Got Her Groove Back': THR's 1998 Review," 14 Aug. 2019 Directed by Chris Columbus, the comedy caper debuted in 1990 and snowballed into a franchise, with Culkin reprising his lovably rambunctious role for one of two sequels. Christi Carras, Los Angeles Times, "Macaulay Culkin’s reaction to Disney’s ‘Home Alone’ reboot is perfect," 7 Aug. 2019 The stylistic salad bar that defines mainstream country in 2019 was easy to hear Friday at the rambunctious festival, one of the biggest of its kind in the United States. Brian Mccollum, Detroit Free Press, "Faster Horses fest opens with a hard-partying crowd that's up for anything ... musically," 20 July 2019 And the latkes are rambunctious, While the herrings dance in cream. New York Times, "‘All Was Going Well When I Noticed a Rustling Under Some Shrubbery’," 17 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'rambunctious.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of rambunctious

1830, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for rambunctious

probably alteration of rumbustious

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More Definitions for rambunctious

rambunctious

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of rambunctious

US : uncontrolled in a way that is playful or full of energy

rambunctious

adjective
ram·​bunc·​tious | \ ram-ˈbəŋk-shÉ™s How to pronounce rambunctious (audio) \

Kids Definition of rambunctious

: not under control in a way that is playful or full of energy The schoolyard was filled with rambunctious kids.

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More from Merriam-Webster on rambunctious

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with rambunctious

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for rambunctious

Spanish Central: Translation of rambunctious

Nglish: Translation of rambunctious for Spanish Speakers