brag 1 of 3

Definition of bragnext

brag

2 of 3

adjective

brag

3 of 3

noun

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
The president brags regularly about his degree from the University of Pennsylvania and about his uncle, who taught at MIT. Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 9 Feb. 2026 This low-budget-looking spot was way more successful than the company's previous 2000 Super Bowl ad, the one that bragged about wasting 2 million bucks while showing a monkey dancing on a bucket. Debby Wolfinsohn, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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 Now, after the latest iteration of Kellyoke on the Kelly Clarkson Show, the host can add performing the knockout collaboration live alongside the country icon herself to her list of brag-worthy accomplishments. Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 1 Dec. 2022
Noun
Like any good barbecue IRL, the chat is mostly meat pics, cooking tips (with a dose of half-brags) and occasional smack talk. Farhan Mustafa, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Sep. 2025 Share real results without the humble brags. Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for brag
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brag
Verb
  • Completed in 2024, this 18,336-square-foot mansion boasts six bedrooms, 12 bathrooms and a flat, three-quarter-acre-plus lot.
    Sandra Barrera, Oc Register, 18 Feb. 2026
  • Trading in this quarter started in the late 1800s, and to this day boasts edifying buildings done in raw stone Qatari style.
    Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Thankfully, the wonderful leaders of our great state of Florida have corrected this problem.
    Krys Fluker, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 Feb. 2026
  • Spring is a wonderful time of year to visit, before the crowds descend for the summer months.
    Irenie Forshaw, TheWeek, 17 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • That rhetoric has been replaced by a basic long-leash Republicanism — a shift that may be unsurprising with a dealmaker in the Oval Office, but has disappointed progressives and hardcore populists and sent legal sherpas scrambling to freshen their advice.
    Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 14 Feb. 2026
  • My approach combines conservative principles with practical solutions, delivering measurable results—not rhetoric.
    Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Suites with interconnecting doors across the balcony are a great choice for larger families, and most regular activities include child-friendly options, like the beginner’s surfing classes in calmer waves or toddler bikes for cycling along the nature reserve.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Feb. 2026
  • There is a fantastic Lam retrospective at the Modern Museum of Art, but Scott had the idea months before and went to great lengths to convince Lam’s estate to collaborate.
    Rachel Tashjian, CNN Money, 18 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • There is a flattering, if occasionally self-deprecating, account of his upbringing; a recap of his political successes told with a careful balance of humility and braggadocio; and, perhaps most of all, a sustained effort to define his brand for voters.
    Andrew Silow-Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 2 Feb. 2026
  • Timmy’s Marty promotional tour was loud and brash — viral Zoom videos, Soulja Boy routines in Brazil, standing atop the Sphere in Las Vegas — and had a lot of people wondering if his decision to adopt a Marty Mauser-style braggadocio would ultimately hurt his chances to win over Oscar voters.
    Vulture Editors, Vulture, 12 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Of the many incarnations of the narcissist, there is the braggart, and there is also the neurotic.
    Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 6 Dec. 2025
  • Still, Kimmel never came off as a braggart.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Across Boston and online, locals have access to some educational and awesome Black History Month arts events.
    Jed Gottlieb, Boston Herald, 15 Feb. 2026
  • The advanced technology peered even deeper into the sword, revealing that the craftsmanship around the pommel was truly awesome.
    Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 15 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • After the Patriots lost to the Seahawks in Super Bowl LX, there apparently was quite a bit of chatter among Bills fans on social media.
    Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Bella was more interested in the chatter around the film.
    Rachel Handler, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Brag.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brag. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.

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