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
Placed in a jail cell wired with hidden microphones, Jester bragged to his cellmate that when Jackson tried to fight back, he pistol-whipped the rapper and shot him three times in the back. Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026 His parents and relatives dote on him, while his parents brag about his accomplishments to their friends. Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 12 Aug. 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
  • Food and drink The hotel boasts a whopping 13 restaurants and bars.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Arizona also boasts diverse landscapes and a variety of ecosystems, from alpine forests to deserts, all of which different kinds of bats have fashioned a home.
    Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Nature aside, Cape Town boasts a wonderful juxtaposition of old world architecture and contemporary design across its vibrant neighborhoods.
    Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Both films had wonderful ensembles, ingenious writing and an unmistakable sense of occasion.
    Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Meanwhile, the Israeli prime minister also sharpened his already-combative rhetoric against Erdogan.
    Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The refugees have increasingly become targets of anti-Ukrainian rhetoric.
    ABC News, ABC News, 25 Aug. 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
  • But there may be little anyone–government or corporate–can do to persuade people to have children amid greater economic uncertainty.
    Angelica Ang, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026
  • From travel dresses to a lightweight sweater, here are 14 items from Quince’s Workwear Edit that would look great on you on your next flight, starting at $20.
    Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 30 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Against this stripped down but still bumping backdrop, Christmas and Crack’s loose, witty braggadocio shines.
    Brendan Hay, SPIN, 24 Aug. 2026
  • The early going featured the braggadocio of the comfortably entrenched.
    Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 15 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The deli counter handwash sink didn’t have any paper towels or mechanical blower.
    David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The blowers must purse their lips in just the right spot and exercise extraordinary breath control.
    Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • And while the linebacker group is average, the secondary has a good foundation and the defensive line has enough depth and potential to be awesome.
    Austin Mock, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • There is a decent chance the winner of the American League West could finish with a losing record, which would be a first in MLB history, 110 percent awesome, and worthy of its own banner.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Aug. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Brag.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brag. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on brag

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!