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

His threat may be bluster, but it’s also self-destructive.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 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

So for all their bluster in public, Bondi and Blanche were floundering in court as losses piled up.

From Slate • Mar. 24, 2026

The tough talk from the White House might be just bluster, but the U.S. stock market sank in Tuesday trading and was on track for its worst loss in two months.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 20, 2026

As we talk, he projects an uncommon self-assurance; not a high school boy’s bluster, but a quality deeply ingrained.

From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove

Related Words

• bulldoze
• gloat
• hector
• swagger
• yap