swashbuckling

adjective

Definition of swashbucklingnext
as in heroic

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 swashbuckling The swashbuckling, old-school crime reporter doesn't believe in computers. — Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 25 June 2026 Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglas Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglas first teamed up in Romancing the Stone, a swashbuckling action-romance that proved to be one of the biggest hits of 1984. — Jesse Hassenger, Entertainment Weekly, 1 June 2026 Here’s a swashbuckling Zen space opera of irresistible vastness — a world large enough to colonize your imagination. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 19 May 2026 Like so many historical myths, this swashbuckling tale of pirates, court accusations, and gossip, which frames the rags-to-riches emergence of this American family, is rife with historical fiction. — Literary Hub, 14 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for swashbuckling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swashbuckling
  1. heroic
  2. valiant
  3. fearless
  4. intrepid
  5. brave
  6. courageous
  7. gallant
  8. valorous
Adjective
  • From Cabo Verde’s heroic journey led by a 40-year-old goalie with a nickname honoring his grandmother, to the spontaneous happiness from the Scottish Tartan Army, to the contagious passion from Argentine fans, micro stories moved millions of people.
    — Isaac Mizrahi, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
  • Jeb has always been fascinated by the heroic deeds of gunslingers, despite the Quaker teachings of nonviolence.
    — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 21 July 2026
Definition of heroic
Adjective
  • As the final seconds ticked down on Spain’s 1-0 extra-time win over a valiant Argentina and the referee blew his whistle, one could be forgiven for their mind once again slipping to memories of La Roja’s maiden World Cup victory.
    — Patrick Sung Cuadrado, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
  • French dreams of the yellow jersey never really got going, but Julian Alaphilippe did win two stages and the polka dot jersey, a precursor to his valiant and oh-so-close GC tilt the following year.
    — Chris Marshall-Bell, New York Times, 19 July 2026
Definition of valiant
Adjective
  • Betty Parsons’s importance in postwar American art history as a fearless, groundbreaking art dealer is indisputable.
    — John Yau, ARTnews.com, 24 July 2026
  • Spain’s victory at the 2026 FIFA World Cup cemented the country’s status as soccer’s new powerhouse, with a fearless young squad that captivated fans from the opening whistle to the final.
    — Leen Al Saadi, Vogue, 23 July 2026
Definition of fearless
Adjective
  • From within a narrow 180-mile-wide path of totality across eastern Greenland, western Iceland and northern Spain, a total solar eclipse will briefly turn day into night for lucky locals and intrepid eclipse chasers.
    — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 14 July 2026
  • Drivers—and intrepid hikers—also pass Pond Farm Pottery, the former home and studio of ceramicist Marguerite Wildenhain.
    — Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 12 July 2026
Definition of intrepid
Adjective
  • More than anything else, that team proved what a romantic optimist Keegan was, to dream of playing football like that in the second tier, and to be brave enough to deliver it, telling his players to go out and entertain the fans.
    — James Pearce, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • But getting there requires brave engagement, reflection, and art, not silence.
    — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 20 July 2026
Definition of brave
Adjective
  • Being bold and courageous sounds fun and exciting, but can also be frightening.
    — ByKaren R. McDaniel, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • Holding them together is their courageous mother, Olga, who keeps them looking ahead, even when their future is uncertain.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 16 July 2026
Definition of courageous
Adjective
  • Clearly, Americans didn’t do gallant failure, instead demanding domination over mere participation every time.
    — Terry Baddoo, USA Today, 14 June 2026
  • Commandment was very gallant in defeat for trainer Brad Cox and looks to be on the improve after his seventh-place finish in the Kentucky Derby.
    — Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 8 June 2026
Definition of gallant
Adjective
  • Roy Benavidez, a Texas native who was awarded the Medal of Honor for valorous action during combat in Vietnam.
    — Melissa Renteria, San Antonio Express-News, 8 Mar. 2026
  • The Congressional Medal of Honor Society recommendations for the medal must be submitted within three years of the valorous act, and the medal must be presented within five years.
    — Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026
Definition of valorous

Browse Nearby Words

swash
swashbuckling
swashed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Swashbuckling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swashbuckling. Accessed 25 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 24

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?
See More

Popular

See More

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
chain-question-mark
Missing Link Quiz July 2026 Five seconds to figure out the word that fits bot...
See All