bluster

[ bluhs-ter ]

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

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

/ ˈblʌstə /

verb

1. to speak or say loudly or boastfully
2. to act in a bullying way
3. tr,foll byinto to force or attempt to force (a person) into doing something by behaving thus
4. intr (of the wind) to be noisy or gusty

noun

1. boisterous talk or action; swagger
2. empty threats or protests
3. a strong wind; gale

Derived Forms

• ˈblustery, adjective
• ˈblustering, nounadjective
• ˈblusteringly, adverb
• ˈblusterer, noun

Other Words From

• blus·ter·er noun
• blus·ter·ing·ly adverb
• blus·ter·y blus·ter·ous adjective
• out·blus·ter verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of bluster¹

First recorded in 1520–30; perhaps from Low German blustern, blüstern “to blow violently”; compare Old Norse blāstr “blowing, hissing”

Word History and Origins

Origin of bluster¹

C15: probably from Middle Low German blüsteren to storm, blow violently

Related Words

• bulldoze
• gloat
• hector
• swagger
• yap