bravado
noun
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Displays of bravado may be show-offish, daring, reckless, and inconsistent with good sense—take, for example, the spectacular feats of stuntpeople—but when successful, they are still likely to be met with shouts of "bravo!" Celebrities, political leaders, corporate giants, and schoolyard bullies, however, may show a different flavor of bravado: one that suggests an overbearing boldness that comes from arrogance or from being in a position of power. The word bravado originally comes from the Italian adjective bravo, meaning "wild" or "courageous," which English can also thank for the more common brave.
Examples of bravado in a Sentence
Jeff Goudy, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
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
In the days since, Payton’s confidence has sometimes veered toward bravado.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 24 Jan. 2026
The bravado made many laugh, including Warriors coach Steve Kerr, who has watched the press conference several times since then.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 18 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bravado
Cite this Entry
“Bravado.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bravado. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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bravado
noun
