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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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
Bill Mechanic, Deadline, 15 May 2025
But his bluster isn’t unheard of in White House history, and not even just in U.S. relations with Denmark.
—Michael Loria, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2025
Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 14 Jan. 2025
There’s even direct homage to the former, with a chase scene set inside a noisy blustering nightclub.
—Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 18 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bluster
Noun
Whether any of it’s real or just his usual bluster and hocus and pocus, without, that is, any real magic.
—Bill Mechanic, Deadline, 15 May 2025
But his bluster isn’t unheard of in White House history, and not even just in U.S. relations with Denmark.
—Michael Loria, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2025
Verb
Lavar Ball, the patriarch of the family, is a blustering boxing promoter of a personality, and brothers LaMelo and Lonzo Ball are successful NBA players who will be in the public consciousness for the foreseeable future.
—Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 14 Jan. 2025
There’s even direct homage to the former, with a chase scene set inside a noisy blustering nightclub.
—Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 18 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bluster
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bluster
Noun
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Drawing the line between criticism and hate Jonathan, a Jewish young professional in Washington, D.C., said political leaders must more clearly condemn rhetoric that veers into incitement.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
3 June 2025
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The most frequently cited reasons for wanting to move were concerns about LGBTQ+ rights – 76% – the sociopolitical climate – 71% – anti-trans rhetoric and climate – 60% – and anti-trans laws and policies – 47%.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
3 June 2025
Noun
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The crowd, which had already grown hostile to Ernst's tone, erupted in roars of disapproval.—
Alana Wise,
NPR,
31 May 2025
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There’s something magical about a waterfall — the roar of rushing water fueled by snowmelt, the cooling mist, and lush vegetation thriving around it.—
Jennifer Broome,
Denver Post,
20 May 2025
Noun
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After 'tremendous commotion,' Cassie screamed, 'Isn't anybody seeing this?' Some of the most compelling testimony has come from former Combs former personal assistant, George Kaplan.—
Josh Meyer,
USA Today,
29 May 2025
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Video footage from that day shows commotion and ICE agents entangled with members of Congress and their staff.—
Ashleigh Fields,
The Hill,
13 May 2025
Verb
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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
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The bear growled, huffed and clacked her teeth — making sure her message of getting away from her cubs got across.—
Benjamin Alva Polley,
Rolling Stone,
10 May 2025
Noun
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Pearlman thinks that Johnson’s bombast and bizarre stunts are incriminating enough without the need for the documentary to call him out explicitly.—
Charlotte Lytton,
Time,
13 May 2025
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And the score by experimental group Son Lux is a welcome shift away from orchestral bombast into more nuanced territory.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
29 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Things are going to get crazy, eliminate the noise.—
Tim Willert,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2025
-
From the Guentzel, Burns and (both) Rantanen trades, to the signing of Orlov and the blockbuster deal that started it all — Elias Lindholm and Noah Hanifin to Calgary for Dougie Hamilton, Micheal Ferland and Adam Fox — Carolina isn’t afraid to make noise.—
Cory Lavalette,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
Noun
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Nintendo caused a slight stir after the Switch 2 reveal.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
5 June 2025
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The night before the team were due to sail back to Southampton, Great-Uncle Charlie received a call from Neil Franklin, England’s centre-half who had just left Stoke City for Colombia along with George Mountford — two stars of English football causing a huge stir by moving to cash-rich Colombia.—
Andy Mitten,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
Noun
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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
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Latto popped up first on the track, bringing some braggadocios bars before G Herbo jumped in with his rambunctious energy.—
Mackenzie Cummings-Grady,
Billboard,
30 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bluster.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bluster. Accessed 11 Jun. 2025.
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