bluster

[ bluhs-ter ]
See synonyms for: blusterblusteredblusteringblusterer on Thesaurus.com

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.

verb (used with object)
  1. to force or accomplish by blustering: He blustered his way through the crowd.

noun
  1. boisterous noise and violence: the bluster of the streets.

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

Origin of bluster

1
First recorded in 1520–30; perhaps from Low German blustern, blüstern “to blow violently”; compare Old Norse blāstr “blowing, hissing”

Other words for bluster

Other words from bluster

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

Words Nearby bluster

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use bluster in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for bluster

bluster

/ (ˈblʌstə) /


verb
  1. to speak or say loudly or boastfully

  2. to act in a bullying way

  1. (tr, foll by into) to force or attempt to force (a person) into doing something by behaving thus

  2. (intr) (of the wind) to be noisy or gusty

noun
  1. boisterous talk or action; swagger

  2. empty threats or protests

  1. a strong wind; gale

Origin of bluster

1
C15: probably from Middle Low German blüsteren to storm, blow violently

Derived forms of bluster

  • blusterer, noun
  • blustering, noun, adjective
  • blusteringly or blusterously, adverb
  • blustery or blusterous, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012