: highly or widely praised or boasted about
his own much vaunted ferocity—
Calvin Tomkins
Calvin Tomkins
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Vaunted Has Latin Roots
The verb vaunt has been used since the 15th century with the meaning "to make a vain display of one's own worth or attainments"—in other words, "to brag or boast." Over time, vaunt developed the meaning "to boast of (something)," as in "the promotional flier vaunts the natural beauty of the area," and gave rise to the adjectival form vaunted. The history of vaunt and vaunted leads back to the Latin word vānus, meaning "vain" or "empty." The word vain itself is also a descendant of vānus.
Examples of vaunted in a Sentence
The team's vaunted defense faltered in the second half of the game.
Recent Examples on the Web
For all the government’s rhetoric and commitment to a decades-old revolution, Cubans see a much-vaunted medical system that is failing, unable to provide drugs, procedures — or even electricity.
—Joseph J. Gonzalez, The Conversation, 3 Oct. 2025
The Kings’ vaunted depth remains a strength and Kuemper keeps up last year’s excellence.
—The Athletic Nhl, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Much has been made of Southlake Carroll’s vaunted offense, but the Dragons’ defense has been just as stellar.
—Updated September 26, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Sep. 2025
With Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell in the Dodgers' vaunted rotation, Kershaw knows his opportunity to pitch in the postseason might be limited.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vaunted
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Joseph J. Gonzalez, The Conversation, 3 Oct. 2025
The Kings’ vaunted depth remains a strength and Kuemper keeps up last year’s excellence.
—The Athletic Nhl, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Much has been made of Southlake Carroll’s vaunted offense, but the Dragons’ defense has been just as stellar.
—Updated September 26, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Sep. 2025
With Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell in the Dodgers' vaunted rotation, Kershaw knows his opportunity to pitch in the postseason might be limited.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vaunted
Cite this Entry
“Vaunted.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vaunted. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
vaunted
adjective
vaunt·ed
ˈvȯnt-əd 
ˈvänt-
: much praised or boasted about
the team's vaunted offense
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