swashbuckling
Americanadjective
noun
adjective
-
of or characteristic of a swashbuckler
-
(esp of films in period costume) full of adventure and excitement
Etymology
Origin of swashbuckling
First recorded in 1685–95; swashbuckl(er) + -ing 2, -ing 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The actor recently reprised his iconic role as a swashbuckling archaeologist in the 2023 sequel “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.”
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 1, 2026
England survived a scare to qualify for the Super Eights at the T20 World Cup on Monday as Italy's swashbuckling chase of 203 fell agonisingly short in a pulsating match in Kolkata.
From Barron's • Feb. 16, 2026
This Miami team isn’t exactly the swashbuckling dynasty of old, though they are led by former title-winning offensive lineman Mario Cristobal.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 11, 2026
For all Celtic's early swashbuckling, it absolutely evaporated.
From BBC • Dec. 7, 2025
It was not lawful in these matches to foin—that is, to make a thrust of the paint Finally there was swashbuckling.
From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
