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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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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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
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Recent Examples of bluster
Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 25 Apr. 2025
In Texas last November, his counsel instituted a legal proceeding with much fanfare and bluster.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 17 Apr. 2025
Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 2 Apr. 2025
Trump’s blustering, threatening bullying is ineffective, costly and foolish.
—John A. Ragosta, Baltimore Sun, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bluster
Noun
Of all three Venom films, that attention-hogging bluster and performative boasting comes through perfectly in middle movie Let There Be Carnage, the most buddy-comedy-esque of the franchise and Hardy’s funniest performance to date.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 25 Apr. 2025
In Texas last November, his counsel instituted a legal proceeding with much fanfare and bluster.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 17 Apr. 2025
Verb
He’s accompanied on this journey by phonk vet DJ Smokey, a blustering mixtape host treating the occasion like a forensic investigation into the murder of the artist.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 2 Apr. 2025
Trump’s blustering, threatening bullying is ineffective, costly and foolish.
—John A. Ragosta, Baltimore Sun, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bluster
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bluster
Noun
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In the absence of evidence, Trump always rushes in with rhetoric.—
Chris Brennan,
USA Today,
27 June 2025
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In recent years, many of Ye’s public outbursts have had antisemitic rhetoric.—
DeMicia Inman,
VIBE.com,
27 June 2025
Noun
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The Dino up for sale is a 246 GTS variant with a removable roof panel for when the sun is out and the driver wants to really hear the roar of its engine.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
24 June 2025
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Advertisement Read more: How Netanyahu Pushed Trump Toward War That day, a shepherd posted cell phone footage of an Israeli C-130 low in the sky over Syria, sheep bells clanking over the roar of the engines.—
Karl Vick,
Time,
19 June 2025
Noun
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Noem stopped speaking for a brief moment during the commotion, then immediately continued.—
Anna Commander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 June 2025
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Press became aware of West’s presence when there was a loud commotion outside the courtroom and a figure in a white-on-white denim outfit was spotted entering the public entrance at the 500 Pearl Street Courthouse.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
13 June 2025
Verb
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Scientists published fresh data showing that huffing carbon monoxide could boost endurance.—
Alex Hutchinson,
Outside Online,
2 June 2025
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Taylor Sheridan and Christian Wallace seem to have huffed an entire boxed set of Friday Night Lights before sitting down to brainstorm Landman.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
27 May 2025
Noun
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As for any hint of bombast, by the standards of CBGBs, Talking Heads played at a volume that was nothing short of demure.—
Rolling Stone,
Rolling Stone,
16 June 2025
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Despite the lack of bombast, The Alters tells a compelling and heartfelt narrative, with some goofier moments to break up the unrelenting drama.—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
14 June 2025
Noun
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Walden injected a bit of noise into his playing style with the group, citing guitarists J Mascis, Thurston Moore, and Jimi Hendrix as influences.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
23 June 2025
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Yufei Long, who hails from Shenzhen, China and came to the US to play top-level Tennis, also made some noise here, qualifying and then taking out No. 21 Blatt and No. 14 Schaefer before stretching No.—
Todd Boss,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
Noun
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Later on, Zegler caused a stir with politically divisive social media posts about the 2024 presidential election.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2025
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Ohtani’s return to pitching caused a stir around Chavez Ravine.—
Jack Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
17 June 2025
Noun
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Ditto his distinctive appearance, trumped only by a persuasive smile that conveyed an innocence and friendliness somewhat at odds with his braggadocio tales and hedonistic tendencies.—
Bob Gendron,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2025
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The news was an opportunity for Gov. Gavin Newsom to exercise his penchant for braggadocio.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
9 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bluster.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bluster. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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