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
Susan B. Glasser, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2025
Almost all of the account’s posts right now are mimicking Donald Trump’s distinct tweeting style, replete with condescending nicknames, weirdly formal phrasing, and multiple-exclamation-point bluster.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 20 Aug. 2025
Marni Rose McFall Orton, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 July 2025
So far, the result is a blitz of mixed messages, conflicting signals and blustering threats, not unlike the way Mr. Trump and his aides talk about their ever-evolving tariff strategy.
—David E. Sanger, New York Times, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bluster
Noun
In his first months back in office, Trump has made clear that his vengeful threats were not simply campaign-season bluster.
—Verb
Daniel Rigby as Vernon Dursley A BAFTA-winning performer (Eric and Ernie, The Witches), Rigby will play Harry's blustering Muggle uncle and husband of Petunia.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for bluster
Noun
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Kennedy's rhetoric on autism has been embraced by some corners of the autism community and maligned in others.—
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In France, many of these free men of color witnessed the tumultuous storming of the Bastille prison in July 1789 and watched with hope as the revolutionary rhetoric of liberty, equality, and fraternity eventually led the French populace to overturn monarchical rule.—
Noun
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Kimmel walked onto the stage to a roar of applause from his studio audience and chants of his name.—
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His voice was still raw from calling plays over the roar of Lincoln Financial Field.—
Noun
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The newsmagazine’s previous season was filled with commotion, but Whitaker says there is noise about something tied to the show almost every year.—
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Oprah Winfrey, who popped up earlier in the week at Ralph Lauren's fashion show, caused quite the commotion with her appearance at Christian Siriano's runway show Friday.—
Verb
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The hugs stop and the arguments, the phone obsession, and the huffing cold shoulder starts.—
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Fellow porters huffing their way up a hillside; the stars twinkling above the desert sand; the layered waves of Caroline Polachek’s staggeringly beautiful title song cresting over the horizon at just the right moment.—
Noun
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The president’s bombast and capriciousness have led many European countries to increase their defense spending—a positive outcome, to be sure, and not inherently at odds with the notion of a unified, geopolitical West.—
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Ciel Dubai Marina This record-breaking approach is emblematic of the intent and sheer bombast with which Dubai is reshaping the travel and tourism market, with a strong focus on foreign investment and wealthy visitors.—
Noun
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Otherwise, the final environmental analysis determined that, even after mitigation, three other impacts — land use, historical and tribal cultural resources, and noise — will be significant and unavoidable.—
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While not involved in either goal, King was at the heart of the moments that generated the most noise from a 26,813-strong crowd.—
Noun
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Combine the two in a non-reactive container and stir.—
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Unsurprisingly, the president's statements are causing a stir.—
Noun
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The first singles from Carey’s 16th album are dripping with braggadocio with her inimitable voice wafting like smoke.—
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This display exposes the campaign’s braggadocio.—
Cite this Entry
“Bluster.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bluster. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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