1
as in to boast
to praise or express pride in one's own possessions, qualities, or accomplishments often to excess
I, too, would swagger if I'd won first place in the bowling tournament
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to strut
to walk with exaggerated arm and leg movements
hoping to impress the women at the bar, the young man confidently swaggered across the room
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in chic
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
as in bravado
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of swagger
Bethy Squires, Vulture, 28 Nov. 2025
Oscar Isaac‘s Victor Frankenstein is part 18th-century dandy and part swaggering Swinging Sixties rock star, as if Lord Byron had been genetically spliced with Brian Jones.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 9 Sep. 2025
Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2025
In Iowa State’s five wins, QB Rocco Becht has hung tough in the pocket but also showed swagger extending plays.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Linnie Greene, Pitchfork, 21 Jan. 2026
And more recently, in the new season of Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Simons has given Camp Half-Blood’s vaguely evil new head, King Tantalus, a bit of bloodthirsty swagger, as well as Robert Smith–style hair and a touch of pathos.
—Marah Eakin, Vulture, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for swagger
Verb
Katy Perry was swaggering about in a garish new hat.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 28 Nov. 2025
Oscar Isaac‘s Victor Frankenstein is part 18th-century dandy and part swaggering Swinging Sixties rock star, as if Lord Byron had been genetically spliced with Brian Jones.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
For a guy who claimed to be insecure about his vocal prowess, Ace is all swagger, peacocking his way through the city with a fistful of dollars and wicked ladies pursuing him.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2025
In Iowa State’s five wins, QB Rocco Becht has hung tough in the pocket but also showed swagger extending plays.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
There’s less Lou Reed swagger and more Paul Simon melancholy, a survey of modern American accoutrements and spiritual confusion delivered with a shrug.
—Linnie Greene, Pitchfork, 21 Jan. 2026
And more recently, in the new season of Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Simons has given Camp Half-Blood’s vaguely evil new head, King Tantalus, a bit of bloodthirsty swagger, as well as Robert Smith–style hair and a touch of pathos.
—Marah Eakin, Vulture, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for swagger
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swagger
Verb
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Housebound was met with rave reviews from critics and currently boasts a 95% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
3 Feb. 2026
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But the musician appears ready to play larger venues again, with his 2026 itinerary boasting gigs at numerous amphitheaters around the country.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Bovino, strutting around in body armor or his distinctive long coat, seemed to relish his role as a villain to his critics, encouraging aggressive tactics by federal agents and sometimes engaging in them himself.—
Adam Serwer,
The Atlantic,
27 Jan. 2026
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Each brand showed strikingly light, almost ice-blue denim for spring and summer, resulting in pairs that looked like they’d been worn (and loved) for years before strutting the runway.—
Jake Henry Smith,
Glamour,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Rebecca Hall plays an impossibly chic British FBI agent investigating the string of hot-person body explosions with Evan Peters, who cannot deliver a proper French pronunciation to save his life.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
4 Feb. 2026
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Consider light palettes in tones of sage, soft blue, or butter yellow, and placing out chic umbrellas to create shade for your guests.—
Shelby Wax,
Vogue,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Such bravado is also situated within the context of a society in which harsh tones are common and even celebrated.—
Marshall Shepherd,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
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These past two weeks, anger, persistence, and bravado are also in the mix among residents who have shown up to observe, film, or protest the actions of immigration agents.—
Hanna Rosin,
The Atlantic,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
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There’s a big difference between bragging and being clear about your contributions.—
Johnny C. Taylor Jr,
USA Today,
3 Feb. 2026
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The goal isn’t to brag, but to add visible value.—
Chris Lipp,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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None of them had any idea as to what was wrong with Nix until Payton, in street clothes, strode back to the postgame podium for the second time Saturday night after the madness cleared.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
17 Jan. 2026
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Nineteen years ago, Mike Tomlin strode to a microphone in Pittsburgh, debuting his iconic, confident gait.—
Jerry Brewer,
New York Times,
14 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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To celebrate music’s biggest night, the star wore a sleek tuxedo from Schiaparelli—the first-ever major menswear red carpet moment for the label.—
Christian Allaire,
Vogue,
2 Feb. 2026
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The country star styled her hair in a sleek updo and accessorized with gold drop earrings.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
2 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Despite trariffs, military power, dollar dominance and presidential arrogance, isolation, America will triumph.—
Letters to the Editor,
Hartford Courant,
23 Jan. 2026
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Adriana is immediately aware of his confidence—bordering on arrogance—but also senses potential chemistry in their skating styles.—
Isabella Wandermurem,
Time,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Swagger.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swagger. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
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