1
as in rhetoric
boastful speech or writing
all the bluster in the campaign speech was intended to hide a lack of specifics
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2
as in roar
loud, confused, and usually inharmonious sound
I can't work with all the bluster in here
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in commotion
a state of noisy, confused activity
a mayor who got things done without a lot of bluster and self-serving publicity
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as in to huff
to talk loudly and wildly
the rude customer blustered and yelled threats about lawsuits, but eventually left
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bluster
Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 27 Jan. 2025
But then there are those moments when Josephine’s bluster falters, revealing the raw and heartbreaking vulnerability still pulsing underneath.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Dec. 2024
Matthew Chance, CNN, 16 Jan. 2025
Traveling to France, Nick quickly manages to be the most blatant fish-out-of-water cop since Gene Hackman’s Popeye Doyle blustered his way through Marseille in French Connection II.
—Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for bluster
Noun
And yet late Sunday, after hours of online bluster, Petro backed down, the prospect of a trade war with the U.S. proving too frightening to contemplate.
—Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 27 Jan. 2025
But then there are those moments when Josephine’s bluster falters, revealing the raw and heartbreaking vulnerability still pulsing underneath.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Dec. 2024
Verb
Both Vladimir Putin, the Kremlin strongman, and the beleaguered Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, have cautiously welcomed Trump’s blustering intervention.
—Matthew Chance, CNN, 16 Jan. 2025
Traveling to France, Nick quickly manages to be the most blatant fish-out-of-water cop since Gene Hackman’s Popeye Doyle blustered his way through Marseille in French Connection II.
—Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for bluster
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bluster
Noun
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His rhetoric is dramatically changing the U.S. relationship with the world.—
Ivan Pereira,
ABC News,
3 Apr. 2025
-
Musk has faced criticism for his aggressive rhetoric toward international actors and interference with politics both home and abroad, culminating in his failure to secure a Republican victory at the Wisconsin Supreme Court election on April 1.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The roars crescendoed in the bottom of the first as Tatis led off with a single, Tatis and Machado each stole a base and Merrill, after falling behind 0-2 against Sale, one-handed a two-run single into center field.—
Dennis Lin,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2025
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The roar of the crowd and the buzzing of the buzzer as time expires can reach the same volume levels as a jackhammer!—
Barry Gordemer,
NPR,
27 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Spears' teen pregnancy immediately caused commotion among her family and her team.—
Ron Estes,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2025
-
On a match day, the keenest supporters would gravitate to the main entrance halfway along, just after the dressing room windows where Ian Wright occasionally peered out and caused a commotion.—
Amy Lawrence,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Or flesh—notice the tiny worker huffing up the steps in the top right.—
Jackson Arn,
The New Yorker,
10 Mar. 2025
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Adding in a motor has made cargo bikes much more workable for those riders who would like the convenience and capacity of a cargo bike but have hesitated in the past due to their own physical condition and the prospect of huffing a cargo bike up hills or across town.—
William Roberson,
Forbes,
25 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Trump is enacting Project 2025 nearly to the letter, deploying executive orders, lawsuits, and rhetorical bombast in an effort to force judges, law firms, cultural institutions, university presidents, and press barons into postures of pitiable obedience.—
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2025
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In typical Nintendo fashion, the teaser video is stripped down, featuring no audio or bombast.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
28 Mar. 2025
Noun
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After all, that’s arguably the primary purpose of a social network: not the news, not the blather, not the noise.—
John Koetsier,
Forbes.com,
1 Apr. 2025
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Attract attention If someone approaches them on the street or puts them in a dangerous situation, kids should know to make noise or get to a crowded area.—
Sherri Gordon,
Parents,
31 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Fans of this show based on a treatment by the legendary Bruce Lee caused enough of a stir that it was eventually renewed for Max exclusively, airing a third season on the streaming service.—
Brian Tallerico,
Vulture,
18 Mar. 2025
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The news, which surfaced late last week when letters to these vendors from Chief Procurement Officer Sharla Roberts were shared with the media, caused an immediate stir and prompted some aldermen to publicly advise contractors not to comply with the request.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The most successful of his sprawling New York rap crew, Mayers vaulted to fame in 2011 with a style defined by suave braggadocio and self-mythologizing reminiscent of old-school legends such as Rakim and the Wu-Tang Clan.—
James Queally,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Jan. 2025
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Nicholson's portrayal of a rebellious mental hospital inmate is a phenomenal combination of sly intelligence and impish braggadocio, best showcased during the scene where, thwarted in his attempt to watch the World Series on TV, McMurphy ad libs a commentary in front of a blank set.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
2 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bluster.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bluster. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.
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