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
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 Visit Jacksonville brags that the food diversity the city boasts is a result of the presence of Camp Lejeune, which brings in people from all over the country, and the world. Eva Flowe, Charlotte Observer, 3 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
  • Kennedy boasted about the administration's moves to downsize the childhood vaccination schedule and reshape a key vaccine advisory board -- steps that have since been halted by a judge.
    FATIMA HUSSEIN, Arkansas Online, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Beginning on her left side, the skirt boasted a waist-high, diagonal leg slit with a gauzy underlayer that showcased her peep-toe heels.
    Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 18 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • That there’s a wonderful wedge salad to brighten up the plate is just icing on the cake.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Ornamental grasses are a wonderful way to spruce up your lawn or add some softness and movement to your garden.
    Martha Stewart, Martha Stewart, 15 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The announcement comes after months of escalating rhetoric from the president, who has repeatedly threatened to take over the territory citing national security purposes.
    Michelle Stoddart, ABC News, 19 Sep. 2026
  • One day, there was menacing rhetoric on Truth Social; the next, memes on X of penguins.
    Isaac Stanley-Becker, The Atlantic, 19 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
  • Indeed, as much as Chicago has looked to past mayors as larger-than-life figures, the city rarely has accomplished anything great without the active involvement of its business community.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Evolution When asked about the greatest innovation of humans, people will often say language or fire.
    Hannah Little, Scientific American, 20 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
  • San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy looked awesome, and its defense looked even better.
    Chris Branch, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • For our two main characters, their version of hell is kind of awesome in some ways.
    Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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