brazen

1 of 2

adjective

bra·​zen ˈbrā-zᵊn 

1

: made of brass

drinking from brazen cups

2

a

: sounding harsh and loud like struck brass

… the horrible brazen voice of the fire bell.

—Elmer Davis

b

: of the color of polished brass

3

: marked by shameless or disrespectful boldness

a brazen disregard for the rules

brazenly adverb

brazenness

ˈbrā-zᵊn-(n)əs 

noun

brazen

2 of 2

verb

brazened; brazening

ˈbrāz-niŋ, 

ˈbrā-zᵊn-iŋ 

transitive verb

: to face with defiance or impudence

—usually used in the phrase brazen it out

Synonyms of brazen

Adjective

• bold
• impudent
• wise
• insolent
• audacious
• fresh
• cheeky
• cocky
• defiant
• blunt
• brassy
• sassy
• saucy
• brash
• cocksure
• assertive
• impertinent
• brazen-faced

Verb

• confront
• face
• brave

Examples of brazen in a Sentence

Adjective

He exhibited a brazen disregard for other people's feelings.

a brazen demand for special treatment just because she's rich

Verb

a filmmaker willing to brazen the criticism that such a violent film was sure to provoke

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

San Jose police arrested two more people in the brazen robbery of a San Jose jewelry store that made international headlines earlier this year. —Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 22 Dec. 2025

The announcement comes in the wake of October’s brazen theft of France’s crown jewels, as well as ongoing strikes by Louvre staff currently impacting opening hours and access to certain exhibition rooms. —Chrissie McClatchie, Travel + Leisure, 19 Dec. 2025

Israeli leaders have vowed to punish the Houthi leadership for its brazen attacks on Israel, and the Israeli government has established a new intelligence unit focused on Yemen. —April Longley Alley, Foreign Affairs, 18 Dec. 2025

Across the globe, attacks by governments on journalists criticizing strongman leaders become more brazen. —Kate Kenny, The Conversation, 15 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Verb

Middle English brasen, from Old English bræsen, from bræs brass

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1555, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing brazen

• brazen-faced
• brazen it out

Rhymes for brazen

• blazon
• hazan
• zazen
• malmaison

Kids Definition

brazen

1 of 2 adjective

bra·​zen ˈbrāz-ᵊn 

1

: made of brass

2

: sounding harsh and loud like struck brass

3

: not ashamed of or embarrassed by one's bad behavior : impudent

4

: of the color of polished brass

brazenly adverb

brazenness

ˈbrāz-ᵊn-(n)əs 

noun

brazen

2 of 2 verb

brazened; brazening ˈbrāz-niŋ 

-ᵊn-iŋ

: to face boldly or defiantly

an enemy who'd rather brazen it out than surrender