brag 1 of 3

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
Thanks to the Game 7 boost, the NBA will enjoy bragging rights to a spot among the year’s top TV broadcasts for the first time since 2019. Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 23 June 2025 Another bragged about smuggling H-E-B groceries into Europe. Brandi D. Addison, Austin American Statesman, 23 June 2025
Adjective
This will also give you a brag bank to pull from when the interviewer asks you to articulate your strengths. Dominique Law, Forbes, 10 Nov. 2021 The Wild Insulated Water Bottle Allow us to humble-brag about The Wild water bottle with the cool logo of the L.A. Times newsletter about the outdoors in Southern California. Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2021
Noun
The humble brag is a new shiny toy for some people. Lance Eliot, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024 The brag quickly caught the attention of Swift fans across social media, who rushed to attack Spector while defending Swift. Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 19 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for brag
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brag
Verb
  • The city of Miami boasts the largest condo market in Miami-Dade, and the values of units built before the start of 2024 dropped 1% as this year began, according to a Miami Herald analysis of the data.
    Douglas Hanks July 5, Miami Herald, 5 July 2025
  • In this way, the typewriter boasts the ability to retrieve up to 90,000 characters.
    Emily Feng, NPR, 5 July 2025
Adjective
  • Colleagues, mentors and friends are wonderful sources of feedback.
    Kim Salem-Jackson, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • These tender, buttery peas are wonderful in any number of dishes, but our new favorite just might be this black-eyed pea dip.
    Mary Claire Britton, Southern Living, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • The bond market turmoil reportedly prompted Trump’s administration to retreat from some of its more aggressive trade war rhetoric.
    Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 27 June 2025
  • In the absence of evidence, Trump always rushes in with rhetoric.
    Chris Brennan, USA Today, 27 June 2025
Adjective
  • Grow by leaving awesome LinkedIn comments Identify your strongest beliefs Your commenting strategy needs a theme.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
  • This role was really an opportunity to foreground your sexuality and have this awesome love story with Gabin (Ivan du Pontavice).
    Maureen Lee Lenker Published, EW.com, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • The most accomplished tracks excel at a carefree braggadocio and bottomless defiance foundational to hip-hop, fitting since Ice Spice hails from the Bronx, the birthplace of the culture.
    Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 1 Aug. 2024
  • Ditto his distinctive appearance, trumped only by a persuasive smile that conveyed an innocence and friendliness somewhat at odds with his braggadocio tales and hedonistic tendencies.
    Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2025
Noun
  • When a person lacks humility, the deficiency will show up as being a braggart and disrespectful.
    Mary Crossan, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
  • He’s swept away in a sea of raves MILAN — Giorgio Armani is not a very good braggart.
    Tonya Blazio-Licorish, WWD, 17 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • This is a great NBA Summer League matchup; make sure to tune in and catch all the action.
    Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 July 2025
  • Since there’s no adhesive involved in the grippy version, this silicone bra alternative is a great option for anyone with sensitive skin.
    Malia Griggs, Glamour, 7 July 2025
Noun
  • There was a lot of chatter about taxes and changes to the tax system for colleges.
    Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 4 July 2025
  • Both players are near the top of their respective positions, but there was a lot of chatter regarding Fitzpatrick.
    James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Brag.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brag. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

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