chest-thumping

noun

chest-thump·​ing ˈches(t)-ˌthəm-piŋ How to pronounce chest-thumping (audio)
Synonyms of chest-thumpingnext
: conduct or expression marked by pompous or arrogant self-assertion
political chest-thumping

Examples of chest-thumping in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Abbott’s campaign bank balance is a chest-thumping number that dwarfs any other candidate’s fundraising figures for the latter half of 2025. Philip Jankowski, Dallas Morning News, 15 Jan. 2026 Starting in 2021, DeSantis’ speeches became more declarative, full of chest-thumping about how Florida was the greatest, freest state. Romy Ellenbogen, Miami Herald, 13 Jan. 2026 Not the loud, chest-thumping kind, but the quiet sort that turned the Nets from a punchline into a problem. C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 6 Jan. 2026 In the long lead-up to the events on Jan. 3, the Trump administration hoped that dedicating a significant amount of U.S. naval assets, combined with Trump’s chest-thumping speeches, would convince the Venezuelan military to turn against Maduro. Washington Post, 5 Jan. 2026 Video creations: 510,000 Video examples: Creators that haven’t encountered Indian hip hop are taking to TikTok to showcase their initial reactions and share chest-thumping dance routines. Lucy Maguire, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2025 In an instant, his offseason bravado and chest-thumping interviews with national reporters made sense. Troy Renck, Denver Post, 9 Oct. 2025 But in the Trump era of flashy braggadocio and chest-thumping one-upmanship, Newsom is fighting fire with fire. Matt K. Lewis, Mercury News, 28 Aug. 2025 Zscaler’s volume—half a trillion transactions a day—isn’t just chest-thumping. Tony Bradley, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1915, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of chest-thumping was in 1915

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Chest-thumping.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chest-thumping. Accessed 26 Jan. 2026.

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