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
Michael Anthony Carricarte, born June 20, 1942, in Havana, Cuba, and a Miami man since 1948, didn’t brag. Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 24 June 2026 Plus, you’ll be tempted to brag about saving $330 on Stuart Weitzman sandals and scoring platform slides for $30. Melony Forcier, Travel + Leisure, 24 June 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
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 While the sale hasn’t started just yet, there are tons of early Amazon Prime Day toy deals to get your holiday shopping started or snag a brag-worthy deal on a birthday gift. Anja Webb, Parents, 24 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for brag
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brag
Verb
  • This New York suburb, in Westchester County, boasts an average household income of $612,591 as of 2024.
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 4 July 2026
  • That little green or yellow can in the grocery store that boasts pictures of pears, cherries, grapes, and other fruit on the label?
    Josh Miller, Southern Living, 4 July 2026
Adjective
  • The animals, the cool weather and the wonderful people of this region made for a memorable trip.
    Sheah Rarback, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026
  • Bat boxes are a wonderful addition to your yard for attracting bats and giving them a safe place to live.
    The Spruce, The Spruce, 2 July 2026
Noun
  • For too long Western leaders have been deterred by Putin’s escalation rhetoric.
    David A. Deptula, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • Concha argued that her positions and rhetoric reflect a broader shift in the Democratic Party toward socialism and extremism.
    Kiara Moore, The Washington Examiner, 30 June 2026
Noun
  • Clayton is cool and kind and a big braggart.
    Wendy Paris, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026
  • Still, Kimmel never came off as a braggart.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • William's sixth-great-grandfather was born in Coventry in 1740 and enlisted as a private in the Connecticut militia.
    Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026
  • Leave some messiness in your garden and leave the leaves, as decaying leaves are great habitat for fireflies.
    Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 5 July 2026
Noun
  • This is another stride of lyricism, philosophy, I’m-the-best braggadocio, bravado.
    New York Times, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
  • But for everything Gates said that might appeal to a frustrated Democrat like me, his Huntington Beach braggadocio continually won out.
    Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The story is told from Dah’s perspective, as Jocelyn—who displays a quasi-mystical rapport with fighting cocks—suffers an emotional breakdown, putting their business and their lives in danger.
    The New Yorker, The New Yorker, 26 July 2024
  • The former became fighting cocks and the latter became sows.
    Matthew Gavin Frank, Harper's Magazine, 6 June 2023
Adjective
  • My colleague Erik Tice at the Dink (who does double duty as the GM for the California Black Bears) is back to maintaining his Public MLP Data sheet, which has all sorts of awesome data.
    Todd Boss, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
  • Brady joins bro Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Bennett, Brad Marchand, Sam Reinhart, Carter Verhaeghe and of course the return of Aleksander Barkov to lead what should be an awesome offense.
    Greg Cote June 28, Miami Herald, 28 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Brag.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brag. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

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