brag 1 of 3

Definition of bragnext

brag

2 of 3

adjective

brag

3 of 3

noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word brag distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of brag are boast, crow, and vaunt. While all these words mean "to express pride in oneself or one's accomplishments," brag suggests crudity and artlessness in glorifying oneself.

bragging of their exploits

When is boast a more appropriate choice than brag?

Although the words boast and brag have much in common, boast often suggests ostentation and exaggeration, but it may imply a claiming with proper and justifiable pride.

boasts of every trivial success
the town boasts one of the best museums in the area

When would crow be a good substitute for brag?

In some situations, the words crow and brag are roughly equivalent. However, crow usually implies exultant boasting or bragging.

crowed after winning the championship

How is vaunt related to other words for brag?

Vaunt usually connotes more pomp and bombast than boast and less crudity or naïveté than brag.

vaunted his country's military might

How is the word brag distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of brag are boast, crow, and vaunt. While all these words mean "to express pride in oneself or one's accomplishments," brag suggests crudity and artlessness in glorifying oneself.

bragging of their exploits

When is boast a more appropriate choice than brag?

Although the words boast and brag have much in common, boast often suggests ostentation and exaggeration, but it may imply a claiming with proper and justifiable pride.

boasts of every trivial success
the town boasts one of the best museums in the area

When would crow be a good substitute for brag?

In some situations, the words crow and brag are roughly equivalent. However, crow usually implies exultant boasting or bragging.

crowed after winning the championship

How is vaunt related to other words for brag?

Vaunt usually connotes more pomp and bombast than boast and less crudity or naïveté than brag.

vaunted his country's military might

How is the word brag distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of brag are boast, crow, and vaunt. While all these words mean "to express pride in oneself or one's accomplishments," brag suggests crudity and artlessness in glorifying oneself.

bragging of their exploits

When is boast a more appropriate choice than brag?

Although the words boast and brag have much in common, boast often suggests ostentation and exaggeration, but it may imply a claiming with proper and justifiable pride.

boasts of every trivial success
the town boasts one of the best museums in the area

When would crow be a good substitute for brag?

In some situations, the words crow and brag are roughly equivalent. However, crow usually implies exultant boasting or bragging.

crowed after winning the championship

How is vaunt related to other words for brag?

Vaunt usually connotes more pomp and bombast than boast and less crudity or naïveté than brag.

vaunted his country's military might

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of brag
Verb
Trump bragged about the COVID vaccines—his COVID vaccines—during a rally and his own people booed. Literary Hub, 23 Mar. 2026 The contributors grabbing the raciest headlines of late have been women bragging about sleeping with scores of men. Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
The benefits of a brag book Part of growing your salary comes with asking for a raise, which Tu believes most workers aren’t asking for often enough. Jane Thier, Fortune, 6 Dec. 2022 Now, after the latest iteration of Kellyoke on the Kelly Clarkson Show, the host can add performing the knockout collaboration live alongside the country icon herself to her list of brag-worthy accomplishments. Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 1 Dec. 2022
Noun
Like any good barbecue IRL, the chat is mostly meat pics, cooking tips (with a dose of half-brags) and occasional smack talk. Farhan Mustafa, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Sep. 2025 Share real results without the humble brags. Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for brag
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brag
Verb
  • By the first week of December, Olsson boasted seven goals in five matches, becoming the first player in WSL history to score four goals in her first five starts.
    Megan Feringa, New York Times, 1 Apr. 2026
  • This year, Senegal boasts a strong roster, led by the star forward Sadio Mané.
    Albert Samaha, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The teams got invaluable data — and some wonderful video too.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Books Are Magic, a wonderful bookshop owned by novelist Emma Staub, alone could suck up an entire morning.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The post, which Kinlaw appears to have shared on his personal Facebook page and later deleted, contained a graphic with anti-Islamic rhetoric.
    Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 28 Mar. 2026
  • Between persecution and suspicion These dynamics become especially visible in moments of enforcement, where the gap between political rhetoric and immigration policy comes into sharp relief.
    Candace Lukasik, The Conversation, 27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • But simply naming the great fear and sharing it with the millions of watchers in living rooms and hotels and airport lobbies was a trial almost too painful to contemplate.
    Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2026
  • No substitutions for prize except by Sponsor, in which case a prize of equal or greater value will be substituted.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Nicholson's portrayal of a rebellious mental hospital inmate is a phenomenal combination of sly intelligence and impish braggadocio, best showcased during the scene where, thwarted in his attempt to watch the World Series on TV, McMurphy ad libs a commentary in front of a blank set.
    Devan Coggan, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Mar. 2026
  • Trump’s braggadocio State of the Union message about our surging economy and his compassionate ICE raids was the icing on the Circassian cake.
    Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 26 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Of the many incarnations of the narcissist, there is the braggart, and there is also the neurotic.
    Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 6 Dec. 2025
  • Still, Kimmel never came off as a braggart.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The Disciples of Soul were awesome; great horns and backup singers.
    George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
  • The mentality, the approaches, have all been awesome.
    Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 29 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Like all the best restaurants in Rome, Piatto Romano welcomes a steady stream of Italians for lunch and dinner, who fill the restaurant with chatter and laughter.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Mar. 2026
  • The chatter around streaming bots grew noticeably louder in August 2025, when a prison phone call between Young Thug and an unidentified associate leaked online.
    Kyle Eustice, VIBE.com, 30 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Brag.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brag. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.

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