brag 1 of 3

brag

2 of 3

noun

brag

3 of 3

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word brag distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of brag are boast, crow, and vaunt. While all these words mean "to express pride in oneself or one's accomplishments," brag suggests crudity and artlessness in glorifying oneself.

bragging of their exploits

When is boast a more appropriate choice than brag?

Although the words boast and brag have much in common, boast often suggests ostentation and exaggeration, but it may imply a claiming with proper and justifiable pride.

boasts of every trivial success
the town boasts one of the best museums in the area

When would crow be a good substitute for brag?

In some situations, the words crow and brag are roughly equivalent. However, crow usually implies exultant boasting or bragging.

crowed after winning the championship

How is vaunt related to other words for brag?

Vaunt usually connotes more pomp and bombast than boast and less crudity or naïveté than brag.

vaunted his country's military might

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of brag
Adjective
This will also give you a brag bank to pull from when the interviewer asks you to articulate your strengths. Dominique Law, Forbes, 10 Nov. 2021 The Wild Insulated Water Bottle Allow us to humble-brag about The Wild water bottle with the cool logo of the L.A. Times newsletter about the outdoors in Southern California. Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2021
Noun
Enter LinkedIn, the brag board of choice for the white-collar worker. Zach Przystup, Baltimore Sun, 1 Jan. 2024 Freeze explained his decision with a tremendous humble brag. Kevin Scarbinsky | , al, 20 July 2023
Verb
Days after the Biden administration dropped restrictions on Ukraine using longer-range ATACMS to strike inside Russian territory, Vladimir Putin bragged about the capabilities of the Oreshnik. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024 Scott brags about having fewer than 300 murders this year, but the city still has one of the highest per capita murder rates in the country. Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 4 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for brag 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brag
Adjective
  • The residents of this wonderful city hold a special place in my heart.
    Melissa Noel, Essence, 16 Dec. 2024
  • Watch The Small One on Disney+ Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas This short holiday special catches up with the Ice Age characters at the most wonderful time of the year … well, in theory.
    Sydni Ellis, People.com, 15 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • 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
  • His harsh stance on immigration and refugees echoes the same xenophobic rhetoric that has fueled fear and division across the globe.
    Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • But the main battle appeared to be between Rachel and Sam, who politely, yet firmly, took each other on — often correcting the other’s résumé boasting with their own narrative.
    Dalton Ross, EW.com, 19 Dec. 2024
  • It's formulated with benzoyl peroxide and boasts antimicrobial properties that clear zits and prevent future breakouts.
    Kiana Murden, Vogue, 19 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Shuttles will transport you to other nearby attractions like Top of the Rock Ozarks Heritage Preserve which, in addition to being a popular golf course, has an awesome cave and nature walk that little and big kids will love.
    Esther Carlstone, Parents, 18 Dec. 2024
  • Human individual rights and protecting them are awesome, too.
    Makena Kelly, WIRED, 13 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • 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
  • 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
Noun
  • He’s swept away in a sea of raves MILAN — Giorgio Armani is not a very good braggart.
    Tonya Blazio-Licorish, WWD, 17 Oct. 2024
  • Researchers also studied real-life workplace braggarts and found their colleagues often perceived them negatively.
    Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 28 May 2024
Adjective
  • Poor air quality from wildfires, vehicle exhaust, factories, and other sources takes a toll on lung health—but mounting research suggests that breathing unhealthy air can also put people at a greater risk of developing autoimmune diseases.
    Kaitlin Sullivan, Health, 10 Dec. 2024
  • The two front runners have a great shot at taking home the trophy in Hunter and Jeanty.
    Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Hong Kong and Mainland China grinded higher, led by growth stocks and consumer subsectors on chatter of holiday season vouchers and in anticipation of the post-CEWC release’s pro-consumption and fiscal policy expansion.
    Brendan Ahern, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
  • With her return to Hollywood, Lohan has also caused chatter for her bold outfit choices.
    Michelle Lee, People.com, 10 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near brag

Cite this Entry

“Brag.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brag. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

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