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
Consumer laptops love to brag about flashy features, but they’re not always built for years of real work. Stackcommerce Team, PC Magazine, 12 Aug. 2026 There, regional operations manager Kenny Barsalou bragged about the brand inside a plush restaurant booth. Kansas City Star, 11 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
  • The two-time first-team All-Pro selection boasts great range when playing deep safety and flexes his versatility even more when matching up with receivers in the slot.
    Mike Jones, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
  • In the wake of the most recent rulings, Hoskins has repeatedly boasted about his wins in court.
    Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 21 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • There’s this wonderful character in the book, Lucky’s childhood friend [Steph].
    Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Toronto is a wonderful city, and this will be a Saturday night game featuring Sidney Crosby in the place for hockey.
    Josh Yohe, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The ad led Democratic and Republican House leadership to condemn the antisemitic rhetoric targeting Fine.
    Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Republicans who claim that democratic socialists are like communists are either misinformed or deliberately using misleading rhetoric for political advantage.
    Tom Zirpoli, Baltimore Sun, 18 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
  • Rivera-Vega is suspected of setting the fire and also had been charged with arson causing great bodiliy injury before the woman died.
    Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Starting the election calendar in South Carolina is intended in part to give Black voters a greater voice at the outset of the nominating process.
    ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The early going featured the braggadocio of the comfortably entrenched.
    Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The 1989 movie portrayed this area as quaint and quiet where practicality and a handshake replace braggadocio.
    Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The cookline handwash sink didn’t have paper towels or a blower.
    David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Individual pipes are manually added or removed from the organ to change chords, and the sustained sound of the piece is produced through an electric blower system that forces air into the pipes.
    News Desk, Artforum, 10 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Quarterback Bear Bachmeier was awesome as a true freshman last year and can be the type of player to take the Cougars to the next level.
    Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
  • And to have everything that happened in between was awesome, too.
    LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 17 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Brag.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brag. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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