brazen

1 of 2

adjective

bra·​zen ˈbrā-zᵊn How to pronounce brazen (audio)
1
: made of brass
drinking from brazen cups
2
a
: sounding harsh and loud like struck brass
the horrible brazen voice of the fire bellElmer Davis
b
: of the color of polished brass
3
: marked by shameless or disrespectful boldness
a brazen disregard for the rules
brazenly adverb
brazenness noun

brazen

2 of 2

verb

brazened; brazening ˈbrāz-niŋ How to pronounce brazen (audio)
ˈbrā-zᵊn-iŋ

transitive verb

: to face with defiance or impudence
usually used in the phrase brazen it out

Examples of brazen in a Sentence

Adjective He exhibited a brazen disregard for other people's feelings. a brazen demand for special treatment just because she's rich Verb a filmmaker willing to brazen the criticism that such a violent film was sure to provoke
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Orban may be more brazen than most world leaders in flaunting Hungary’s dual security ties, but his is hardly the only country that is drawing attention and resources from both China and the United States. Sheena Chestnut Greitens, Foreign Affairs, 15 Mar. 2024 Crime surged across multiple categories in 2023, including homicides, armed assaults and brazen property crimes like the Eddie’s smash-throughs. James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for brazen 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'brazen.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Verb

Middle English brasen, from Old English bræsen, from bræs brass

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1555, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of brazen was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near brazen

Cite this Entry

“Brazen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brazen. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

brazen

1 of 2 adjective
bra·​zen ˈbrāz-ᵊn How to pronounce brazen (audio)
1
: made of brass
2
: sounding harsh and loud like struck brass
3
: not ashamed of or embarrassed by one's bad behavior : impudent
4
: of the color of polished brass
brazenly adverb
brazenness noun

brazen

2 of 2 verb
brazened; brazening ˈbrāz-niŋ How to pronounce brazen (audio)
-ᵊn-iŋ
: to face boldly or defiantly
an enemy who'd rather brazen it out than surrender

More from Merriam-Webster on brazen

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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