cacophony

noun

ka-ˈkä-fə-nē How to pronounce cacophony (audio)
Definition of cacophonynext
as in noise
loud, confused, and usually inharmonious sound the cacophony of a pet store full of animals

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of cacophony The sight of a floating Starship triggered a cacophony of cheers from SpaceX teams at Starbase and its Hawthorne, California rocket factory in the company's livestream. — Tariq Malik, Space.com, 25 July 2026 On the side of the highway, the night is a cacophony of blaring horns and the shouts of drunken men. — ABC News, 23 July 2026 Somewhere in the heated mist hovered the howls of Albert Ayler and the clarion call of his brother Donald’s trumpet, followed by the Ornette Coleman Quartet, saluting him with joyous cacophony. — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 21 July 2026 And the noise that this is making is something that is a cacophony of the world enraptured. — Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for cacophony
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cacophony
  1. noise
  2. roar
  3. rattle
  4. chatter
Noun
  • In a market dominated by retro basketball shoes and 2000s tech runners, this chunky and vibrant retro skate shoe cut through the noise.
    — Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 31 Aug. 2026
  • When groceries, boat payments, and payroll all flow through one account, the underwriter cannot tell revenue from noise, and the expense factor math turns ugly.
    — Karen Koehler, Miami Herald, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of noise
Noun
  • The reference to Swift and Travis Kelce‘s July 3rd wedding earned a roar of applause from the crowd who were no doubt aware of Styles’s history with the pop superstar.
    — Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Aug. 2026
  • From both sides, the whizzing sound of bullets, the roar of tanks, and the booming sound of artillery fire could be heard.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of roar
Noun
  • It’s easily activated by touching the colored sections or spinning the rattle drum and features three modes, including animals, colors and xylophone.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • As for the Speed, the museum returned three ceremonial objects (a rattle, a beaded pipe bag, and a beaded turtle amulet) and 21 other items, among them beaded pouches and bags, moccasins, a coup stick, a cradleboard, and a lance.
    — Leigh Anne Miller, ARTnews.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of rattle
Noun
  • Tech Challenges While the chair’s speech and the sideline chatter about economic and political events frequently dominate news from the symposium, Jackson Hole is also an important forum for high level debate on economic research.
    — Maria Eloisa Capurro, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • In a sprightly performance rife with oddball mannerisms, Gnecco gives Borges equal parts impish wisdom, earthy vulgarity and childlike wonder, rarely letting a moment’s silence go unfilled with eager chatter.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of chatter

Browse Nearby Words

cacophonous
cacophony
cad
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Cite this Entry

“Cacophony.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cacophony. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on cacophony

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cacophony

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