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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of bluster
Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 9 Apr. 2025
Turned out, Seidler morphed into the George Steinbrenner of San Diego, minus the bluster.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Feb. 2025
Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 18 Jan. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for bluster
Noun
The change in course came after days of Trump bluster hyping his trade gamble.
—Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 9 Apr. 2025
Turned out, Seidler morphed into the George Steinbrenner of San Diego, minus the bluster.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Feb. 2025
Verb
There’s even direct homage to the former, with a chase scene set inside a noisy blustering nightclub.
—Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 18 Jan. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for bluster
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bluster
Noun
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The most frequently cited reasons for wanting to move were concerns about LGBTQ+ rights – 76% – the sociopolitical climate – 71% – anti-trans rhetoric and climate – 60% – and anti-trans laws and policies – 47%.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
3 June 2025
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Drawing the line between criticism and hate Jonathan, a Jewish young professional in Washington, D.C., said political leaders must more clearly condemn rhetoric that veers into incitement.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
3 June 2025
Noun
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The crowd, which had already grown hostile to Ernst's tone, erupted in roars of disapproval.—
Alana Wise,
NPR,
31 May 2025
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There’s something magical about a waterfall — the roar of rushing water fueled by snowmelt, the cooling mist, and lush vegetation thriving around it.—
Jennifer Broome,
Denver Post,
20 May 2025
Noun
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After 'tremendous commotion,' Cassie screamed, 'Isn't anybody seeing this?' Some of the most compelling testimony has come from former Combs former personal assistant, George Kaplan.—
Josh Meyer,
USA Today,
29 May 2025
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Video footage from that day shows commotion and ICE agents entangled with members of Congress and their staff.—
Ashleigh Fields,
The Hill,
13 May 2025
Verb
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Taylor Sheridan and Christian Wallace seem to have huffed an entire boxed set of Friday Night Lights before sitting down to brainstorm Landman.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
27 May 2025
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The bear growled, huffed and clacked her teeth — making sure her message of getting away from her cubs got across.—
Benjamin Alva Polley,
Rolling Stone,
10 May 2025
Noun
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Pearlman thinks that Johnson’s bombast and bizarre stunts are incriminating enough without the need for the documentary to call him out explicitly.—
Charlotte Lytton,
Time,
13 May 2025
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And the score by experimental group Son Lux is a welcome shift away from orchestral bombast into more nuanced territory.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
29 Apr. 2025
Noun
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These underwater cameras record which animals swim by without the noise usually associated with a person at the end of that capture, providing snapshots of reef life that are difficult to capture otherwise.—
Melissa Cristina Márquez,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
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From the Guentzel, Burns and (both) Rantanen trades, to the signing of Orlov and the blockbuster deal that started it all — Elias Lindholm and Noah Hanifin to Calgary for Dougie Hamilton, Micheal Ferland and Adam Fox — Carolina isn’t afraid to make noise.—
Cory Lavalette,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
Noun
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Spacey’s visit to Cannes, which Variety understands could even include a red carpet appearance at the Palais, is likely to cause something of a stir.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
18 May 2025
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His comments caused such a stir that team owner John Henry flew to meet with Devers in Kansas City, where the team was playing last week.—
Jen McCaffrey,
New York Times,
17 May 2025
Noun
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The news was an opportunity for Gov. Gavin Newsom to exercise his penchant for braggadocio.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
9 May 2025
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Latto popped up first on the track, bringing some braggadocios bars before G Herbo jumped in with his rambunctious energy.—
Mackenzie Cummings-Grady,
Billboard,
30 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bluster.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bluster. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
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