swashbuckling

[ swosh-buhk-ling, swawsh- ]

/ ˈswɒʃˌbʌk lɪŋ, ˈswɔʃ- /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR swashbuckling ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

characteristic of or behaving in the manner of a swashbuckler.

noun

the activities, deeds, or adventures of a swashbuckler.

Nearby words

Sometimes swash·buck·ler·ing.

Origin of swashbuckling

First recorded in 1685–95; swashbuckl(er) + -ing², -ing¹

swashbuckle

[ swosh-buhk-uh l, swawsh- ]

/ ˈswɒʃˌbʌk əl, ˈswɔʃ- /

verb (used without object), swash·buck·led, swash·buck·ling.

to work, behave, or perform as a swashbuckler.

Origin of swashbuckle

First recorded in 1895–1900; back formation from swashbuckler

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for swashbuckling

He was convicted of perjury, served 30 days, and went back to a swashbuckling career in contraband.
The Weirdest Story About a Conservative Obsession, a Convicted Bomber, and Taylor Swift You Have Ever Read|David Weigel|August 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Some viewers might even complain that there wasn't enough sex or swashbuckling in “Two Swords”—that the episode was “slow.”
Game of Thrones’ Season 4 Premiere ‘Two Swords’: Valyrian Steel, Arya’s Revenge, and the Red Viper|Andrew Romano|April 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
McClendon, a swashbuckling executive and fracking pioneer, was ultimately pushed out of his job.
How the Kings of Fracking Double-Crossed Their Way to Riches|ProPublica|March 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Jonathan Groff turns a hapless mountaineer who talks to his pet reindeer into a swashbuckling Prince Charming.
‘Frozen’ Is the Best Disney Film Since ‘The Lion King’|Kevin Fallon|November 25, 2013|DAILY BEAST

The swashbuckling efforts of Bharara, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, have landed him on the cover of Time.
That’ll Be $1.2 Billion, Please|Daniel Gross|November 4, 2013|DAILY BEAST
What Nietzsche has done here is, in his swashbuckling fashion, to cut under the abstract and final pretensions of creeds.
A Preface to Politics|Walter Lippmann
Think you it is only a war-worn, hard-drinking, swashbuckling ruffler that can sin?
The Tavern Knight|Rafael Sabatini
His face was flushed, there was a jovial light in his eyes, the lips were parted in a swashbuckling smile.
Right Ho, Jeeves|P. G. Wodehouse
Not the swashbuckling kind of Americanism—the chip-on-the-shoulder kind—the we-can-lick-the-world kind.
The Story of The American Legion|George Seay Wheat
They are by no means the swashbuckling, bullying, dissolute companions painted by those who know nothing about them.
Germany and the Germans|Price Collier

British Dictionary definitions for swashbuckling

swashbuckling

/ (ˈswɒʃˌbʌklɪŋ) /

adjective (usually prenominal)

of or characteristic of a swashbuckler

(esp of films in period costume) full of adventure and excitement

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 swashbuckling

swashbuckling

adj.

1690s, adjective formed from swashbuckler.

swashbuckle

1897, back-formation from swashbuckling.

swashbuckling

adjective

noun

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RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of swashbuckling

swashbuckle

verb (used without object), swash·buck·led, swash·buck·ling.

Origin of swashbuckle

Examples from the Web for swashbuckling

swashbuckling

adjective (usually prenominal)

swashbuckling

swashbuckle