brazen

American  

[brey-zuhn] / ˈbreɪ zən /

adjective

1. shameless or impudent.

   brazen presumption.

   Synonyms:

   brassy, defiant, insolent

2. made of brass.

3. like brass, as in sound, color, or strength.

   Synonyms:

   brassy

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verb (used with object)

1. to make brazen or bold.

verb phrase

1. brazen out / through to face boldly or shamelessly.

   He prefers to brazen it out rather than admit defeat.

brazen British  

/ ˈbreɪzən /

adjective

1. shameless and bold

2. made of or resembling brass

3. having a ringing metallic sound like that of a brass trumpet

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verb

1. to face and overcome boldly or shamelessly

   the witness brazened out the prosecutor's questions

2. to make (oneself, etc) bold or brash

Related Words

See bold.

Other Word Forms

• brazenly adverb
• brazenness noun
• outbrazen verb (used with object)
• unbrazen adjective
• unbrazenness noun

Etymology

Origin of brazen

First recorded before 1000; Middle English brasen (adjective), Old English bræsen “(made) of brass”; brass

Explanation

With brazen disregard for the sign that said "No Cellphones," the woman took a long call in the dentist's waiting room, irritating the other patients. Brazen describes something shocking or something that's done shamelessly. The Middle English word was brasen, "made of brass," from Old English bræs, "brass." In its literal sense, this word can mean "made of or resembling brass," as in a brazen drinking cup from a medieval castle. It can also mean overly or disrespectfully bold. A near synonym of brazen is our English word brassy, which has the additional meaning of being loud and showy.

Example Sentences

Did he believe that adamant denials would allow him to brazen his way through?

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

“To have this intensely coherent collection disturbed by this brazen theft is a tragedy.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun called the strike a "brazen crime" that broke the "most basic rules" of international law by targeting reporters, "who are ultimately civilians performing a professional duty".

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026

On Tuesday, des Cars sent her resignation to President Emmanuel Macron, which was accepted, following a string of scandals including the brazen theft of French crown jewels valued at $100 million in October.

From Barron's • Feb. 25, 2026

Yesterday he had said to his father that if this brazen, glittering sunshine continued, the wheat could not fill in the ear.

From "The Good Earth" by Pearl S. Buck

Related Words

• audacious
• blatant
• bold
• impudent
• shameless
• unabashed