swagger 1 of 3

Definition of swaggernext
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as in to strut
to walk with exaggerated arm and leg movements hoping to impress the women at the bar, the young man confidently swaggered across the room

Synonyms & Similar Words

swagger

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adjective

swagger

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noun

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 swagger
Verb
Katy Perry was swaggering about in a garish new hat. Bethy Squires, Vulture, 28 Nov. 2025 Oscar Isaac‘s Victor Frankenstein is part 18th-century dandy and part swaggering Swinging Sixties rock star, as if Lord Byron had been genetically spliced with Brian Jones. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
The swagger Chelsea had not seen for so long was back. Cerys Jones, New York Times, 8 Feb. 2026 For a guy who claimed to be insecure about his vocal prowess, Ace is all swagger, peacocking his way through the city with a fistful of dollars and wicked ladies pursuing him. Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2025
Noun
Washington delivers the dialogue with a thrilling range from purrs to roars, all imbued with an authoritative swagger. Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 21 Jan. 2026 There’s less Lou Reed swagger and more Paul Simon melancholy, a survey of modern American accoutrements and spiritual confusion delivered with a shrug. Linnie Greene, Pitchfork, 21 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for swagger
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swagger
Verb
  • Housebound was met with rave reviews from critics and currently boasts a 95% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 3 Feb. 2026
  • But the musician appears ready to play larger venues again, with his 2026 itinerary boasting gigs at numerous amphitheaters around the country.
    Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 3 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The winner came out on top after two days, 2,500 dogs and more than 200 breeds who strutted their stuff at the Westminster Kennel Club.
    CBS News, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
  • The winner came out on top after two days, 2,500 dogs and more than 200 breeds who strutted their stuff at the Westminster Kennel Club.
    Jennifer Peltz, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Rebecca Hall plays an impossibly chic British FBI agent investigating the string of hot-person body explosions with Evan Peters, who cannot deliver a proper French pronunciation to save his life.
    Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2026
  • Consider light palettes in tones of sage, soft blue, or butter yellow, and placing out chic umbrellas to create shade for your guests.
    Shelby Wax, Vogue, 4 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • In the movie’s first dramatic scene, achingly redolent of memory, the brothers—the older is eleven, the younger eight—loll in front of their family’s house, snacking, grousing, playing with paper action figures, trying to fill the solitude and the silence around them with banter and bravado.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 6 Feb. 2026
  • The man was a winner, an unapologetic, complicated winner who somehow balanced bravado and class while returning the program to dizzying heights.
    Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 6 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • There’s a big difference between bragging and being clear about your contributions.
    Johnny C. Taylor Jr, USA Today, 3 Feb. 2026
  • The goal isn’t to brag, but to add visible value.
    Chris Lipp, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Mercury is striding into your public 10th house, boosting your visibility and encouraging you to offer updates that show your strengths without oversharing.
    Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 6 Feb. 2026
  • None of them had any idea as to what was wrong with Nix until Payton, in street clothes, strode back to the postgame podium for the second time Saturday night after the madness cleared.
    Luca Evans, Denver Post, 17 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The leather upper looks sleek and classic while the insole has cushioning to provide extra comfort with every step.
    Olivia Dubyak, InStyle, 8 Feb. 2026
  • Think sleek and cool layers and quietly assured outerwear via Khaite, Toteme, Susanna Chow, and La Ligne.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 8 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Despite trariffs, military power, dollar dominance and presidential arrogance, isolation, America will triumph.
    Letters to the Editor, Hartford Courant, 23 Jan. 2026
  • Adriana is immediately aware of his confidence—bordering on arrogance—but also senses potential chemistry in their skating styles.
    Isabella Wandermurem, Time, 22 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Swagger.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swagger. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.

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