garrulous

adjective

ˈger-ə-ləs How to pronounce garrulous (audio)
Definition of garrulousnext
1
as in talkative
fond of talking or conversation a garrulous boy who was in constant trouble for talking out of turn

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in rambling
using or containing more words than necessary to express an idea now that he's in his anecdotage, Grandpa likes to tell garrulous, shaggy-dog accounts of his youthful misadventures

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How is the word garrulous different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of garrulous are loquacious, talkative, and voluble. While all these words mean "given to talk or talking," garrulous implies prosy, rambling, or tedious loquacity.

garrulous traveling companions

When is loquacious a more appropriate choice than garrulous?

The synonyms loquacious and garrulous are sometimes interchangeable, but loquacious suggests the power of expressing oneself articulately, fluently, or glibly.

a loquacious spokesperson

When can talkative be used instead of garrulous?

While the synonyms talkative and garrulous are close in meaning, talkative may imply a readiness to engage in talk or a disposition to enjoy conversation.

a talkative neighbor

When might voluble be a better fit than garrulous?

Although the words voluble and garrulous have much in common, voluble suggests a free, easy, and unending loquacity.

a voluble raconteur

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 garrulous His garrulous personality sometimes overshadowed a risk-taking business acumen. — David Bauder, Fortune, 6 May 2026 But let Stephen Adly Guirgis’s play introduce itself on its own terms, with its firm, enthusiastic handshake and garrulous demeanor (Guirgis has never been a playwright of few words), and the experience quickly endears itself. — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 31 Mar. 2026 McDermott is a minor celebrity — a garrulous, 6′3″, 250lb-photographer with 30 years experience in conflict zones and disaster areas. — Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 29 Mar. 2026 The speech last night was empty and uselessly garrulous. — David Frum, The Atlantic, 25 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for garrulous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for garrulous
  1. talkative
  2. rambling
  3. exaggerated
  4. prolix
Adjective
  • Than Constantly Direct Parents may naturally focus on how energetic, friendly, or talkative a teacher appears.
    — Jose Bolaños, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Corey Graves was much more talkative this time around, lambasting Big Cass as a coward while supporting Evans.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of talkative
Adjective
  • And then there’s the Kiyosaki residence, a rambling Moroccan fantasia with muddy adobe walls and a pink door.
    — Christopher Cox, Vanity Fair, 26 Aug. 2026
  • In the podcast, conversations with guests are interspersed with rambling reflections from Von, who is open about his past issues with substance abuse.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of rambling
Adjective
  • The brothers’ defense lawyers countered that the UK allegations are years old, have not resulted in convictions, and their claims to be wealthy were exaggerated to promote online businesses and to generate attention.
    — Jonny Hallam, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The only-in-New York Scaffold Law adds millions of dollars to every construction project through inflated settlements and insurance costs, much of which is alleged to be driven by fraud and exaggerated claims.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of exaggerated
Adjective
  • Even the blandest overtures can whip him into a frantic, pornographic, prolix ecstasy.
    — Anna Wiener, New Yorker, 9 Mar. 2026
  • The album is a concise, 10-song set, a deliberate contrast to prolix streaming-era albums like the ones released lately by Taylor Swift and Beyoncé.
    — Jon Pareles, New York Times, 17 May 2024
Definition of prolix

Browse Nearby Words

garrulity
garrulous
garrulousness
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Cite this Entry

“Garrulous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/garrulous. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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