Words / C2

sten-TORR-ee-uh-n/stenˈtɔːriən/

Stentorian means very loud and powerful, especially of a voice (literary / often wry): a stentorian command, stentorian tones. Loud is everyday; strident (already in the dictionary) is harsh and grating, not merely booming. Stentor was a herald in Homer. Do not let volume unlock a chained fire door.

Meaning

Very loud and powerful, especially of a voice (literary / often humorous).

Examples

• “A stentorian announcement does not unlock the fire door.”
• “Loud is everyday. Booming is the gloss. Strident is harsh (already in C2). Obstreperous is noisily unruly (already in C2). A PA test can be stentorian and still useful. A shout that never names the warden is theatre. Unlock first; then project.”

Good to know

Booming (of a voice). Everyday: very loud. Contrast: strident (harsh — already in C2). Volume ≠ an open exit.

Near in meaning

loud

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