1
as in rhetoric
boastful speech or writing
all the bluster in the campaign speech was intended to hide a lack of specifics
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in roar
loud, confused, and usually inharmonious sound
I can't work with all the bluster in here
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bluster
Juliette Kayyem, The Atlantic, 19 May 2026
For all of its bluster about Trainium and Graviton, Amazon is buying one million chips by the end of 2027.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 3 May 2026
Andrew Latham, The Conversation, 26 Jan. 2026
The administration also has ordered a massive military buildup in the Caribbean and blustered about regime change given the nation’s awful socialist leader.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bluster
Noun
Yesterday in California, the physical world and the world of free-floating grievance and ideological bluster met once again, when two teenagers attacked the Islamic Center of San Diego, killing a security guard and two others, before taking their own lives.
—Juliette Kayyem, The Atlantic, 19 May 2026
For all of its bluster about Trainium and Graviton, Amazon is buying one million chips by the end of 2027.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 3 May 2026
Verb
Trump has blustered, contradicted himself publicly, ramped-up rhetorically and then backed down, mostly without receiving obvious concessions.
—Andrew Latham, The Conversation, 26 Jan. 2026
The administration also has ordered a massive military buildup in the Caribbean and blustered about regime change given the nation’s awful socialist leader.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bluster
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bluster
Noun
-
Healey, a former two-term attorney general, is completely disregarding public safety by her reckless rhetoric and actions – all to win another election.—
Joe Battenfeld,
Boston Herald,
4 June 2026
-
The escalating rhetoric comes at a critical moment for the two countries, which next month will embark on a review of their free trade agreement with Canada.—
Kate Linthicum,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2026
Noun
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Then Zverev wasted a 3-1 lead in the tiebreaker, which Cobolli concluded with a forehand winner up the line that produced a roar from the crowd.—
Andrew Dampf,
Los Angeles Times,
7 June 2026
-
Sleek Noise-cancelling Headphones From the roar of the engine to conversations from nearby neighbors, plane travel can often be noisy, even if you’re seated in first class.—
Jasmine Gomez,
Travel + Leisure,
6 June 2026
Noun
-
Winnetka’s Village Council put an end to the latest commotion over its lakefront by opposing a project that would build chain-link fencing for dogs on Centennial Beach.—
Shun Graves,
Chicago Tribune,
27 May 2026
-
Those seated in the gunner or engineer positions will also be treated to additional clips of Grogu via their adjacent flight panels, the young alien here portrayed as something of a playful pet of a child who is exaggeratedly chill during the commotion.—
Todd Martens,
Los Angeles Times,
21 May 2026
Verb
-
In general, bears show agitation by swaying their heads, huffing, and clacking their teeth.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 May 2026
-
Only after sunrise did people dare to leave their homes, and by then a ferocious fire was huffing thick plumes of smoke over the city.—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
24 May 2026
Noun
-
The documentary’s contradiction is right there, enthralling us with the wild achievements Potter pulled off and frustrating us with his bombast, leading us to ponder whether, as The Dark Wizard suggests, either could exist without the other.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
7 May 2026
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Brian Gibson’s gangrenous bass riffs and gibbering, muffled vocals have even more gonzo energy than usual, while Chippendale mixes bombast and finesse with his customary flair.—
Reed Jackson,
SPIN,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
While these instruments might be heard loudly on the streets, they have been banned at the World Cup this year in Mexico to prevent excessive noise.—
Michael Rios,
CNN Money,
7 June 2026
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From noise-cancelling headphones to cozy travel wraps, here are the seven travel essentials worth splurging on, according to a luxury travel agent.—
Jasmine Gomez,
Travel + Leisure,
6 June 2026
Noun
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Shine was found by patrol officers who responded to a disturbance at a home on Papaya Farms Road in Pāhoa on Monday, according to police.—
Marlene Lenthang,
NBC news,
1 June 2026
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Officers determined that the dog belonged to the man and woman involved in the original disturbance and arrested the woman on charges of felony domestic violence and felony assault with a deadly weapon.—
Velvet Wu
June 1,
Sacbee.com,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
This is another stride of lyricism, philosophy, I’m-the-best braggadocio, bravado.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2026
-
But for everything Gates said that might appeal to a frustrated Democrat like me, his Huntington Beach braggadocio continually won out.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bluster.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bluster. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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