bluster

American  

[bluhs-ter] / ˈblʌs tər /

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.

   Synonyms:

   gloat, boast, brag, rant

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verb (used with object)

1. to force or accomplish by blustering.

   He blustered his way through the crowd.

   Synonyms:

   bully, storm, threaten

noun

1. boisterous noise and violence.

   the bluster of the streets.

2. noisy, empty threats or protests; inflated talk.

   bluff and bluster.

bluster British  

/ ˈblʌstə /

verb

1. to speak or say loudly or boastfully

2. to act in a bullying way

3. to force or attempt to force (a person) into doing something by behaving thus

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

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noun

1. boisterous talk or action; swagger

2. empty threats or protests

3. a strong wind; gale

Other Word Forms

• blusterer
  noun
• blustering
  noun
• blusteringly
  adverb
• blusterous
  adjective
• blustery
  adjective
• outbluster
  verb (used with object)

Etymology

Origin of bluster

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

Explanation

If you tell the captain of the basketball team that you're going to beat him at a game of hoops even though you've never played, you're speaking with a lot of bluster or false confidence and bravado. Bluster can also mean a strong wind. On a blustery day, you'll see trees blowing and people holding onto their hats. When someone full of bluster is talking about how they can do something that you think they can't, they're blowing a lot of hot air in your direction. And coincidently, another name for that type of person is a blowhard.

Example Sentences

The performances are all from the grip-and-grin school of acting: neat and precise with a minimum of bluster.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2026

The renewed bluster could derail the market’s recovery.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 19, 2026

“Iran is suffering, too. I don’t think that this bluster, this sense of euphoria, is going to last once they turn around and look behind them and see the devastation of this war.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

Even accounting for bluster, bluff, and negotiation tactics, it’s an extraordinary statement from any world leader, let alone a U.S. president, to make.

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

She ached from head to toe; she wanted a hot bath and a bright fire to read by and was in no mood for the admiral’s bluster.

From "The Unseen Guest" by Maryrose Wood

Related Words

• bulldoze
• gloat
• hector
• swagger
• yap