Stentorian describes a voice that's extremely loud, powerful, and commanding. When a drill sergeant barks orders in a stentorian voice, soldiers across the entire parade ground can hear every word clearly. When a stage actor projects her stentorian tones to the back row of the theater, no microphone is needed.

A stentorian voice carries weight and authority. It fills a room, demands attention, and makes people stop what they're doing to listen. Think of a judge calling a courtroom to order, a town crier announcing news in a village square, or a coach whose stentorian shouts reach every player on the field during practice.

The word almost always describes voices, and it suggests something more than simple loudness. A stentorian voice has depth and resonance. It doesn't screech or strain. Instead, it projects with natural power that seems to fill whatever space it enters.