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
Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 14 Dec. 2025
Among the inspirations for Henry’s empty bluster was Boris Johnson, the former British Prime Minister.
—Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 8 Dec. 2025
Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 25 July 2025
Daniel Rigby as Vernon Dursley A BAFTA-winning performer (Eric and Ernie, The Witches), Rigby will play Harry's blustering Muggle uncle and husband of Petunia.
—Marni Rose McFall Orton, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for bluster
Noun
The missing $400 million is still a major problem — and despite Rebecca’s impressive bluster a few weeks back, the attorneys at the insurance company suing M-Tex are digging their heels in, insisting the new rig start operations in the next 45 days.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 14 Dec. 2025
Among the inspirations for Henry’s empty bluster was Boris Johnson, the former British Prime Minister.
—Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 8 Dec. 2025
Verb
None of them are in any sense blustering, bomb-throwing analogues to Trump.
—Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 25 July 2025
Daniel Rigby as Vernon Dursley A BAFTA-winning performer (Eric and Ernie, The Witches), Rigby will play Harry's blustering Muggle uncle and husband of Petunia.
—Marni Rose McFall Orton, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for bluster
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bluster
Noun
-
That kind of rhetoric is escalatory.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Regardless, the Islamic Republic’s response has been to frame criticism as betrayal, suggesting that those who question support for Gaza or Lebanon are complicit with imperialism – a narrative enforced through a mix of rhetoric and coercion.—
Kamran Talattof,
The Conversation,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
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An onboard synthesizer manipulates a small set of core sounds to mimic everything from the roar of a jet plane to the flushing of a toilet through a little speaker in the Brick.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
6 Jan. 2026
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The people want to see Varang’s fierce roars!—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
3 Jan. 2026
Noun
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During the commotion, the agent’s shaky cellphone video shows houses along the street and views of the sky.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
10 Jan. 2026
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In the heat of the moment, though, Certa was clearly walking after one of the officials, but Shrewsberry came barreling in as the official turned around to see the commotion.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
3 Jan. 2026
Verb
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His longest breath hold without huffing O₂ is, unofficially, 10:17, which would place him fourth behind Serbian diver Branko Petrovic’s current world record of 11:54.—
Sean Williams,
Outside,
27 Oct. 2025
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Cole Burston / Getty Images The Athletic has live coverage of Dodgers vs. Blue Jays in Game 3 of the World Series. TORONTO — Max Scherzer gritted his teeth and huffed.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Returning composer Johannes Ringen’s big orchestral score provides the kind of bombast that might as easily suit any multiplex-ready popcorn epic.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
11 Dec. 2025
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The resulting game evokes the bombast of Japanese kaiju movies, the wonder of prestige nature documentaries, and sometimes even the brutality of factory farming, all while remaining its own undeniably majestic beast.—
Lewis Gordon,
Vulture,
3 Dec. 2025
Noun
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With the game tied at three in the final minutes, the noise level on the field sounded like multiple 747s were inches away from your ears.—
Mac Engel
January 7,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Jan. 2026
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Turns out, those crystal bowls and milk glass dishes—both of which made ample clinking noises—were perfect for alerting grandma that little ones were snagging candy before dinner.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Investigators said the fire was sparked following a domestic disturbance that led a woman to burn her boyfriend’s clothing in a barbecue pit on an apartment patio, FOX26 Houston reported.—
Stephen Sorace,
FOXNews.com,
6 Jan. 2026
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The country’s strong standing in safety could stem from several factors, including societal structure, strict laws, and cultural focus on harmony, which keep street crime and public disturbances very low.—
Taryn White,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
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But the tonal change from braggadocio to lionization is notable, Reisman slipping at times into the giddiness of a die-hard fan meeting their idols.—
Julien Levy,
Rolling Stone,
27 Dec. 2025
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Other details, freely tweaked, mesh, too, but the main similarities are in temperament—a megawatt personality and a penchant for braggadocio.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
19 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bluster.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bluster. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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