brazen

[ brey-zuhn ]

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

verb (used with object)

1. to make brazen or bold.

verb phrase

1. to face boldly or shamelessly:

   He prefers to brazen it out rather than admit defeat.

brazen

/ ˈbreɪzən /

adjective

1. shameless and bold
2. made of or resembling brass
3. having a ringing metallic sound like that of a brass trumpet

verb

1. usually foll byout or through to face and overcome boldly or shamelessly

   the witness brazened out the prosecutor's questions

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

Derived Forms

• ˈbrazenly, adverb
• ˈbrazenness, noun

Other Words From

• bra·zen·ly adverb
• bra·zen·ness noun
• out·bra·zen verb (used with object)
• un·bra·zen adjective
• un·bra·zen·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of brazen¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of brazen¹

Old English bræsen , from bræs brass

Synonym Study

See bold.

Example Sentences

During a brazen Valentine’s Day heist of an armored truck in Hawthorne, the robber kept his face covered.

From Los Angeles Times

Trump's gaslighting on this issue has been particularly brazen.

From Salon

But she lost political clout as property and retail theft grew more brazen and homeless encampments sprouted beyond downtown’s borders and through all corners of the city.

From Los Angeles Times

Jared Verse, the No. 19 pick in this year’s draft, is an edge rusher but said he came of age as a brazen chatterbox on the field by listening to Ramsey in mic’d up moments.

From Los Angeles Times

They are frustrated with the sense of disorder they see in brazen smash-and-grab robberies and stores locking up everyday goods because of retail theft.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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