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View synonyms for bluster

bluster

[ bluhs-ter ]

verb (used without object)

  1. to roar and be tumultuous, as wind.
  2. to be loud, noisy, or swaggering; utter loud, empty menaces or protests:

    He blusters about revenge but does nothing.

    Synonyms: gloat, boast, brag, rant



verb (used with object)

  1. to force or accomplish by blustering:

    He blustered his way through the crowd.

    Synonyms: bully, storm, threaten

noun

  1. boisterous noise and violence:

    the bluster of the streets.

  2. noisy, empty threats or protests; inflated talk:

    bluff and bluster.

bluster

/ ˈblʌstə /

verb

  1. to speak or say loudly or boastfully
  2. to act in a bullying way
  3. tr,foll byinto to force or attempt to force (a person) into doing something by behaving thus
  4. intr (of the wind) to be noisy or gusty


noun

  1. boisterous talk or action; swagger
  2. empty threats or protests
  3. a strong wind; gale

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Derived Forms

  • ˈblustery, adjective
  • ˈblustering, nounadjective
  • ˈblusterer, noun
  • ˈblusteringly, adverb

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Other Words From

  • blus·ter·er noun
  • blus·ter·ing·ly adverb
  • blus·ter·y blus·ter·ous adjective
  • out·blus·ter verb (used with object)

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Word History and Origins

Origin of bluster1

First recorded in 1520–30; perhaps from Low German blustern, blüstern “to blow violently”; compare Old Norse blāstr “blowing, hissing”

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Word History and Origins

Origin of bluster1

C15: probably from Middle Low German blüsteren to storm, blow violently

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Example Sentences

Played with equal parts warmth and bluster by Ed Asner, Lou Grant was the ultimate TV boss.

From Quartz

To modern workers everywhere,To modern workers everywhere,Played with equal parts warmth and bluster by Ed Asner, Lou Grant was the ultimate TV boss.

From Quartz

By the SEC’s telling, his apparent bluster was largely an attempt to secure the round at a so-called unicorn valuation.

Bob’s tendency toward rhetorical bluster meant that his public appearances were insufficiently contrite to satisfy his critics.

From Time

Many politicians use emotion and bluster to bend things toward their worldview, and they tend to be more ideological than logical.

Consequently, the ones who suffer the brunt of your bluster are not Muslims in other nations that you may want to influence.

There was lots of conservative bluster, “but his voting record was moderate to liberal,” says Pitney.

The lay of the land right now, after you strip away the rhetorical bluster, is this.

But bluster was all it was: Carter entered and left the building without incident.

This is, of course, bluster, yet the harsh words come at a particularly sensitive moment.

In spite of her tirade, he had a feeling that it didn't matter, that she must bluster in her tiny teacup if she wanted to do so.

Sayles tried to bluster, whereupon the lawyer advised him to seek an attorney of his own for consultation.

I didn't want her to hear you bluster and threaten; and, besides, I wanted to tell you what I think of you.

This might frighten an inexperienced man, but in reality it is mere bluster.

The smallest only needed to stand and face him to see that it was all bluster and fun.

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