swashbuckling

adjective

swash·​buck·​ling ˈswäsh-ˌbə-k(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce swashbuckling (audio)
ˈswȯsh-
Synonyms of swashbucklingnext
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
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.
Robin Wright, Cary Elwes, and Fred Savage, who also starred in the 1987 swashbuckling comedy, also paid tribute to their director. Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Dec. 2025 Tracking the history of the 3-4-3 — from its defensive origins to the swashbuckling overachievers under Conte, Glasner and Atalanta’s Gian Piero Gasperini — paints the picture of a system designed to frustrate and strike back against possession football. Thom Harris, New York Times, 13 Nov. 2025 Desperate to be a big guy, SpongeBob sets out to prove his bravery to Mr. Krabs by following The Flying Dutchman – a mysterious swashbuckling ghost pirate – on a seafaring comedy-adventure that takes him to the deepest depths of the deep sea, where no Sponge has gone before. Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 13 Nov. 2025 For example, the Production Committee style of film producing, that is common in Japan, came in for criticism, and was compared poorly to Korea’s less bureaucratic and more swashbuckling style of filmmaking, which is usually helmed by just one company. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 6 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for swashbuckling

Word History

Etymology

swashbuckler

First Known Use

circa 1693, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of swashbuckling was circa 1693

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Swashbuckling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/swashbuckling. Accessed 22 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

swashbuckling

adjective
swash·​buck·​ling ˈswäsh-ˌbək-(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce swashbuckling (audio)
ˈswȯsh-
1
: acting in the manner of a swashbuckler
2
: characteristic of, marked by, or done by swashbucklers
swashbuckling adventure
a swashbuckling tale

More from Merriam-Webster on swashbuckling

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!