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 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

The swashbuckling, old-school crime reporter doesn't believe in computers. — Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 25 June 2026

The swashbuckling performance of pirate movie The Bluff on Prime Video took its producer and star, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, by surprise. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 24 June 2026

Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglas Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglas first teamed up in Romancing the Stone, a swashbuckling action-romance that proved to be one of the biggest hits of 1984. — Jesse Hassenger, Entertainment Weekly, 1 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