bluster Meaning & Definition
What Does Bluster Mean?
Bluster is used as a verb meaning to talk or act with noisy swaggering threats. It is also used to mean to blow in stormy noisy gusts. As a noun, it means a violent boisterous blowing.
Quick Facts About Bluster
| Part of speech | verb, noun |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈblə-stər/ |
| Syllables | 2 |
| Synonyms | bravado, tout and swash |
| Antonyms | quiet, silence and silentness |
| Plural | blusters |
| Verb forms | blusters, blustering, blustered |
Bluster Definition (Verb)
- to talk or act with noisy swaggering threats
brags and blusters but rarely does what he says he'll do
- to blow in stormy noisy gusts
a cold, blustering wind
- to be windy and boisterous
… when autumn blusters and the orchard rocks.
- to utter with noisy self-assertiveness
"I don't want to hear it!" he blustered.
- to drive or force by blustering
… trying to bluster us into the belief that they are much better than they look.
Bluster as a Noun
- a violent boisterous blowing
… the strong breeze driving them was setting up a bluster on the water.
- violent commotion
They do their work without bluster or ostentation.
- loudly boastful or threatening speech
growing tired of his macho bluster
Synonyms of Bluster
Antonyms of Bluster
Bluster in a Sentence
When confronted by opposition his reaction was to bluster, which often cowed the meek.
brags and blusters but rarely does what he says he'll do
a cold, blustering wind
… when autumn blusters and the orchard rocks.
"I don't want to hear it!" he blustered.
… trying to bluster us into the belief that they are much better than they look.
… the strong breeze driving them was setting up a bluster on the water.
They do their work without bluster or ostentation.
growing tired of his macho bluster
all the bluster in the campaign speech was intended to hide a lack of specifics
I can't work with all the bluster in here
a mayor who got things done without a lot of bluster and self-serving publicity
the rude customer blustered and yelled threats about lawsuits, but eventually left
Word Forms & Grammar
blus·tered
blus·ter·ing
blus·ter·er noun
bluster
blustered
blusterer
blusterers
blustering
blusteringly
blusters
blus·ter·ous adjective
blus·tery adjective
blusterous
blustery
bluster (countable and uncountable, plural blusters)
bluster (third-person singular simple present blusters, present participle blustering, simple past and past participle blustered)
Words That Rhyme With Bluster
Origin of Bluster
Origin 1: Middle English blustren, probably from Middle Low German blüsteren
Origin 2: see bluster:1
Origin 3: From Middle English blusteren (“to wander about aimlessly”); however, apparently picking up the modern sense from Middle Low German blüstren (“to blow violently”; compare later Low German blustern, blistern). Related to blow, blast. Compare also Saterland Frisian bloasje (“to blow”), bruusje (“to bluster”).
First Known Use
15th centuryi
1582
How to Pronounce Bluster
The standard pronunciation of bluster is /ˈblə-stər/, spoken in 2 syllables, with the main stress on the first syllable (blə).
Quick Answers About Bluster
Is bluster a verb or a noun?
Bluster is mainly used as a verb, but it can also be used as a noun.
What is another word for bluster?
You can replace bluster with words such as bravado, tout and swash. See the full list of bluster synonyms and antonyms.
What is the opposite of bluster?
Words opposite in meaning to bluster are quiet, silence, silentness and still.
What is the plural of bluster?
The plural of bluster is blusters.
What is the past tense of bluster?
The past tense of bluster is blustered. The present participle is blustering.