brag 1 of 3

Definition of bragnext

brag

2 of 3

adjective

Synonym Chooser

How is the word brag distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of brag are boast, crow, and vaunt. While all these words mean "to express pride in oneself or one's accomplishments," brag suggests crudity and artlessness in glorifying oneself.

bragging of their exploits

When is boast a more appropriate choice than brag?

Although the words boast and brag have much in common, boast often suggests ostentation and exaggeration, but it may imply a claiming with proper and justifiable pride.

boasts of every trivial success
the town boasts one of the best museums in the area

When would crow be a good substitute for brag?

In some situations, the words crow and brag are roughly equivalent. However, crow usually implies exultant boasting or bragging.

crowed after winning the championship

How is vaunt related to other words for brag?

Vaunt usually connotes more pomp and bombast than boast and less crudity or naïveté than brag.

vaunted his country's military might

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of brag
Verb
Maybe the South doesn’t brag about its blazing fall colors (because that’s just bad manners), but Southern gardeners can enjoy autumn splendor every bit as lovely as the sugar maples in Vermont or the aspens in the Rockies. — Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 12 Sep. 2026 Border Patrol agent Charles Exum shot Marimar Martínez, a teacher’s assistant, five times and then bragged about it. — Jesus Chuy Garcia, Chicago Tribune, 8 Sep. 2026
Adjective
Do not blunder into a situation of getting caught with a brag afoot. — Lance Eliot, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024 The benefits of a brag book Part of growing your salary comes with asking for a raise, which Tu believes most workers aren’t asking for often enough. — Jane Thier, Fortune, 6 Dec. 2022
Noun
If the turquoise waters of the Caribbean are calling your name, consider Bonaire as your spring break brag. — Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2026 The entertainment industry is no stranger to individuals who espouse contested stories about screen hits, but the producers of Legacy of Lies have grown tired of his brags. — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for brag
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brag
Verb
  • Glicine is open only for dinners and boasts a Michelin star thanks to the talent of its chef, Giuseppe Stanzione, who reimagines classic Mediterranean dishes with both a la carte and tasting menus.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Sep. 2026
  • In response to the mural, the city of Bristol, which boasts an international reputation for street art, including producing the artist Banksy, received strong pushback from its local arts community.
    — Francesca Aton for ArtNews, Robb Report, 25 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Reclaiming the work of women selling fish, and the word that was an insult but is now a beautiful brand, is a wonderful turn of phrase and time, to us.
    — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 21 Sep. 2026
  • But De Santis is also wonderful at the end of the day, when the sun sets and Milan slowly begins to wind down.
    — Emma Bocchi, Vogue, 21 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • But hostile rhetoric on both sides underscored the difficulty of any diplomatic efforts.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 28 Sep. 2026
  • With their rhetoric, the companies appear to be seeking public favor and to set the terms for their own safety protocols in the unregulated market, experts, analysts and former government evaluators told the Associated Press.
    — Garance Burke, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Clayton is cool and kind and a big braggart.
    — Wendy Paris, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026
  • Not to become a braggart, but to amplify my or our team’s success on projects or risk going unnoticed.
    — Lintao "LT" Lu, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Located 30 miles northeast of Atlanta, the community of around 30,000 is home to a walkable, historic downtown populated with local boutiques and businesses; a legendary theatre; and lots of great restaurants.
    — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Apple Apple's done great work to promote its Music streaming service by showcasing fantastic artists over the years.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 27 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • But smokejumpers generally eschew the spotlight—even a hint of braggadocio amid their ranks is looked down upon—and so their work feels especially shrouded.
    — M. R. O’Connor, New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Against this stripped down but still bumping backdrop, Christmas and Crack’s loose, witty braggadocio shines.
    — Brendan Hay, SPIN, 24 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • This model quickly converts to a blower that uses a powerful fan.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026
  • The results, published this year in the ‘Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise’ journal, ranked a suit blower running cold air first and a cold-air helmet blower second.
    — Patrick Iversen, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • So these are the scheduling quirks that come with our awesome move to nine games that has sure looked so great here lately.
    — Mark Harris OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2026
  • This book is full of hilarious moments, a ridiculously awesome entropy sweeper, and friendship in somewhat odd circumstances.
    — Kavya Dhillon, Parents, 19 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Brag.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brag. Accessed 28 Sep. 2026.

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