1
as in rhetoric
boastful speech or writing
all the bluster in the campaign speech was intended to hide a lack of specifics
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2
as in roar
loud, confused, and usually inharmonious sound
I can't work with all the bluster in here
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in commotion
a state of noisy, confused activity
a mayor who got things done without a lot of bluster and self-serving publicity
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to huff
to talk loudly and wildly
the rude customer blustered and yelled threats about lawsuits, but eventually left
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Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of bluster
Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 9 Feb. 2026
To his credit, after bravado and bluster turned to reasoning and reality, Riley moved off his championship-or-bust mentality.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 31 Jan. 2026
Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 27 Aug. 2025
And a summit in the US state of Alaska, of all places, is red meat to resurgent Russian nationalists who still bluster about the territory being rightfully theirs.
—Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bluster
Noun
Her Jett is a champion, full of bluster, always throwing shade, like Caitlin Clark infused with the spirit of RuPaul.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 9 Feb. 2026
To his credit, after bravado and bluster turned to reasoning and reality, Riley moved off his championship-or-bust mentality.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 31 Jan. 2026
Verb
Although it is widely understood that Russia's space program is in decline, the most common tactic among Russian officials is to bluster about past greatness and talk about all the new programs that are under development.
—Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 27 Aug. 2025
And a summit in the US state of Alaska, of all places, is red meat to resurgent Russian nationalists who still bluster about the territory being rightfully theirs.
—Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bluster
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bluster
Noun
-
His disturbing and bloody rhetoric created a twisted equivalence between violent crime and immigrants, most of whom come here to work, raise families and contribute to our population growth and economy.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 Mar. 2026
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Racial profiling is virtually a stated part of the department’s strategy, and ad campaigns have openly espoused white-nationalist rhetoric and talking points.—
Jonathan Blitzer,
New Yorker,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The sensation of ripping through six forward gears with the LT4’s stentorian roar echoing off a canyon wall is one of the best in motoring.—
Kyle Hyatt,
Robb Report,
5 Mar. 2026
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The next roar came within 200 yards of our boat.—
Delbert L. Chears,
Outdoor Life,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Despite all the commotion happening online, Jim Carrey’s rep confirmed to TMZ that the Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind actor did attend the awards ceremony.—
Lea Veloso,
StyleCaster,
2 Mar. 2026
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Last June, Naomi Welikala noticed a line curving around the block of her local American Legion, an unassuming building that rarely invited commotion.—
Emma Madden,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The show portrays devious, cocaine-huffing young bankers climbing the ranks of global finance, and Yasmin—or Yas, for short—has cut the least noble path of all.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
2 Mar. 2026
-
On one of the machines a Cluely employee panted and huffed in the dark.—
Sam Kriss,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Trump’s version of events, as is so often the case, isn’t based on facts, but wishcasting, projection, bombast and bluffs.—
S.E. Cupp,
New York Daily News,
11 Mar. 2026
-
One thing The Tonight Show does better than any other late-night show (and certainly can’t be replicated by video podcasts) is bombast.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The noise disappears as the reading party begins.—
Sofia Zarran,
Miami Herald,
7 Mar. 2026
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The suit alleged the developers violated a development agreement and would bring pollution, noise and traffic to a nearby neighborhood.—
Karoline Leonard,
Austin American Statesman,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Detainees struggle to obtain medication and healthcare, lose concerning amounts of weight because of a lack of food, and live in fear of private security guards known to use force to put down disturbances.—
Morgan Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
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Games between Rangers and Celtic are heavily policed and often lead to disturbances around the city of Glasgow, where both clubs are based.—
Luke Bosher,
New York Times,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
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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
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Sure enough, Son did indeed suffer another precipitous fall, though today is once again brimming with braggadocio.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
24 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bluster.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bluster. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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