swashbuckling

adjective

swash·​buck·​ling ˈswäsh-ˌbə-k(ə-)liŋ 

ˈswȯsh-

1

: acting in the manner of a swashbuckler

2

: characteristic of, marked by, or done by swashbucklers

Examples of swashbuckling in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The term instead invokes a journey marked by swashbuckling adventure, romantic wanderlust and wide-eyed curiosity. — Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 23 July 2026

Balogun was a central figure throughout the USMNT’s tournament run, shining in the team’s swashbuckling victory over Paraguay and scoring three goals in total. — Martin Rogers, New York Times, 14 July 2026

Sky was founded by Rupert Murdoch in 1990 and became a swashbuckling growth and innovation story in the UK television market, culminating in a $39 billion sale to Comcast in 2018. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 5 July 2026

The United States’ swashbuckling intensity is usually a recipe for defeat in the World Cup knockout rounds, when the winner is more often the team that holds its defensive nerve. — Mark Sappenfield, Christian Science Monitor, 30 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

swashbuckler

First Known Use

circa 1693, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for swashbuckling

• buckling
• chuckling
• duckling

Kids Definition

swashbuckling

adjective

swash·​buck·​ling ˈswäsh-ˌbək-(ə-)liŋ 

ˈswȯsh-

1

: acting in the manner of a swashbuckler

2

: characteristic of, marked by, or done by swashbucklers

swashbuckling adventure

a swashbuckling tale