Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

bluster

[bluhs-ter]
See more synonyms 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

1520–30; perhaps < Low German blustern, blüstern to blow violently; compare Old Norse blāstr blowing, hissing
Related formsblus·ter·er, nounblus·ter·ing·ly, adverbblus·ter·y, blus·ter·ous, adjectiveblus·ter·ous·ly, adverbout·blus·ter, verb (used with object)un·blus·ter·ous, adjectiveun·blus·ter·ous·ly, adverb

Synonyms

See more synonyms on Thesaurus.com
2. rant, brag, boast, gloat. 3. threaten, storm, bully.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for blustered

Historical Examples

  • And all that time they had submitted to be bullied and blustered at.

    Cleo The Magnificent

    Louis Zangwill

  • "That's just what I was askin' him, sir," blustered the workman.

    Shavings

    Joseph C. Lincoln

  • The other looked into his eyes and quailed, but blustered to the end.

    The Crevice

    William John Burns and Isabel Ostrander

  • "Well, she can't leave until her board is paid," he blustered.

  • "This way," blustered Marjorie, heading for the kitchen quarter.

British Dictionary definitions for blustered

bluster

verb
  1. to speak or say loudly or boastfully
  2. to act in a bullying way
  3. (tr, foll by into) to force or attempt to force (a person) into doing something by behaving thus
  4. (intr) (of the wind) to be noisy or gusty
noun
  1. boisterous talk or action; swagger
  2. empty threats or protests
  3. a strong wind; gale
Derived Formsblusterer, nounblustering, noun, adjectiveblusteringly or blusterously, adverbblustery or blusterous, adjective

Word Origin

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

Word Origin and History for blustered

bluster

v.

late 14c., from a Low German source, e.g. Middle Low German blüstren "to blow violently," East Frisian blüstern "to bluster" (see blow (v.1)). Related: Blustered; blustering.

bluster

n.

1580s, from bluster (v.).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper