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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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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of bluster
Baltimore Sun Editorial Board, Baltimore Sun, 27 Nov. 2024
For the less fervent supporters who helped put him over the top, his rhetoric is largely bluster in service of reforming a government out of touch with America’s economic and social needs.
—Eric Cortellessa, TIME, 6 Nov. 2024
Dean Minnich, Baltimore Sun, 13 July 2024
At last, the electorate saw something real: two old, powerful men petulantly blustering about their golf games.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 28 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for bluster 
Noun
And how did Representative-elect McBride respond to this bluster?
—Baltimore Sun Editorial Board, Baltimore Sun, 27 Nov. 2024
For the less fervent supporters who helped put him over the top, his rhetoric is largely bluster in service of reforming a government out of touch with America’s economic and social needs.
—Eric Cortellessa, TIME, 6 Nov. 2024
Verb
His strategy was not to answer the questions, but to deflect the questions and spin his own agenda supported by his talent for blustering and bullying.
—Dean Minnich, Baltimore Sun, 13 July 2024
At last, the electorate saw something real: two old, powerful men petulantly blustering about their golf games.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 28 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for bluster
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bluster
Noun
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Yet Biden administration officials have not espoused the same explicitly anti-media rhetoric as Trump and his top allies have for years.Dominick Mastrangelo, The Hill, 11 Dec. 2024
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Officials in both countries know that Trump is a dealmaker, and some believe the conduct of his presidency will ultimately be less harsh than his rhetoric.Brian Winter, Foreign Affairs, 10 Dec. 2024
Noun
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But for a few hours a day, the 4-month-old pygmy hippo springs to life, gumming on leaves, zooming around the compound and tossing her head in a silent, open-mouthed roar.Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 1 Dec. 2024
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The roars that greet Ohio State’s three-and-out to start the game double as an enormous exhale.Joe Rexrode, The Athletic, 24 Nov. 2024
Noun
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In a viral TikTok video, a woman can be seen sitting on the sofa, and there seems to be a commotion going on underneath her top.Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2024
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More commotion followed, as Sunny Hostin got up from her post to address the situation.EW.com, EW.com, 27 Nov. 2024
Verb
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Pad see ew huffed with smokiness, the wok hei seared so deeply into the wide noodles that its potency could withstand even the indignities of carryout containers.Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2024
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The guardian huffed and slammed the door shut, but a moment later, metal clunked, and the door was opened.Lizz Schumer, Peoplemag, 12 June 2024
Noun
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Dmitri Shostakovich’s Fifth Symphony, one of the mainstays of the twentieth-century orchestral repertory, ends with an unapologetic display of musical bombast.Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2024
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Despite bombast and threats, Mike Pompeo’s lobbying efforts in Europe against Huawei met with only mixed success.Garrett M. Graff, WIRED, 16 Jan. 2020
Noun
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Posey had a talent for cutting through the noise during his career behind the plate, tackling problems head-on, carving a direct path and avoiding the trap of overthinking.Andrew Baggarly, The Athletic, 8 Dec. 2024
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Everyone is dealing with information overload, and the most effective way to cut through the noise is through personal relationships.Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024
Noun
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However, the former New Orleans Saints quarterback walked back his comments about wanting Arch to play for the Cowboys on Wednesday after causing a stir on social media.Ryan Canfield, Fox News, 12 Dec. 2024
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The stunt caused a stir, a news cycle, and, ultimately, a settlement.Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 4 Dec. 2024
Noun
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After treating the divas to a lovely performance on harp, the gofer can’t resist a bit of braggadocio.Greg Evans, Deadline, 21 Nov. 2024
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Stitched together, the mash-up of Jay’s braggadocio and Chester’s bare emotion isn’t lyrically coherent, but somehow the tones make sense together.Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 20 Nov. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Bluster.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bluster. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
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