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

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