to bluster

Examples

• All

• Swift to blame and bluster, Mick knew how to use his hands.

  Fiction book (2002)

• The German chancellor blustered about independence and not kowtowing to the aliens.

  Fiction book (1998)

• The doctor blustered for a few more minutes, but in the end he gave in.

  Fiction book (1995)

• Douglas is simply blustering; he never answers the question.

  Academic text (2008)

• "But we have authority here," the lifeguards blustered with no trace of authority.

  Fiction book (1996)

• "Well, she's not in her own country now," the man blustered.

  Fiction book (1991)

• "So we're just going to stand here, doing nothing?" Sork blustered.

  Fiction book (1991)

• "That's a hundred times what the menu said," blustered Kent.

  Fiction book (1997)

• Before McFarland could begin to bluster, Sam nodded thanks to Jesse and turned on his heel to leave.

  Fiction book (1992)

• He'd been uneasy before about not getting his own attorney, but had blustered through with arrogance and misguided pride.

  Fiction book (2000)

Synonyms

B

to brag

vsto bluster

191 2.7

To talk in a proud way about yourself or what you have

adds loud aggressive delivery and intent to intimidate or impress

B

to blow

vsto bluster

• Informal

151 7.7

To talk proudly about achievements to make others admire you

is similar but uses louder, aggressive speech to impress or scare

B

to boast

vsto bluster

96 3.1

To talk proudly about your achievements to impress people

is louder and more aggressive, aiming to seem threatening or big

T

to tout

vsto bluster

65 6.1

To praise or advertise something strongly to make people want it

is closer to aggressive boasting aimed to intimidate rather than promote

S

to swagger

vsto bluster

9 5.6

To walk or behave in a confident way to impress others

uses loud aggressive speech rather than proud physical manner

T

to talk trash

vsto bluster

• Offensive

5 7.5

Say insulting, bragging words to make someone angry or nervous

focuses more on loud aggression to impress or scare others

P

to puff

vsto bluster

4 7.0

To act or speak in a proud, boastful way

is more aggressive and loud, with less real substance

F

full of bluster

vsto bluster

1 7.4

Loud words that try to threaten or impress but have no real meaning

is the same idea but used as a phrase form

V

to vaunt

vsto bluster

• Archaic

1 8.9

To talk proudly about your achievements to show off

is closer in showiness but louder and more aggressive in manner

B

to blatter

vsto bluster

• Archaic

9.9

To talk a lot without saying anything important

adds a stronger boastful or intimidating aim to the noisy talk

S

to shoot a line

vsto bluster

• Australian

9.6

To say proud things to make yourself seem better than you are

is louder and more aggressive, aiming to intimidate as well

T

to talk shitbull

vsto bluster

• Offensive

9.9

To say false or exaggerated things to make others believe you

is similarly empty but more forceful and aggressive in tone

G

to gasconade

vsto bluster

• Archaic

9.9

To talk about yourself to show you are more important

shares showiness but adds loud aggressive speech with little effect

Antonyms

W

to whisper

586 1.0

To speak very quietly using only breath so one person can hear

Idioms

F

full of bluster

1 7.4

Loud words that try to threaten or impress but have no real meaning

How Loud

to shout

644 1.0

to rant

• Informal

70 4.8

to bluster

5 6.8

to rave

68 4.6

to say

∞ 1.0

to murmur

11 4.2

Surface Forms

Etymology