bluster
Loud hollow threats
Bluster is loud, aggressive talk that lacks substance—empty threats or boastful claims meant to intimidate or impress: His bluster couldn't hide his inexperience.
As a verb, to bluster is to speak or behave this way.
Wind also blusters when it blows in strong, noisy gusts.
The noun and verb share the sense of forceful noise without follow-through.
Speak with excessive pride
- swaggerConfident, boastful manner
- bluffCalculated false front
- bombastPretentious hollow language
- braggadocioVain, empty self-promotion
grandstanding · puffery · hot air · big talk · boast · crow · vaunt · gasconade
Promise harm or punishment
- browbeatIntimidate through pressure
- bullyHabitual intimidator
- menaceSource of potential harm
- coerceObtain by intimidation
domineer · swagger · strut · posture · chest-thumping · aggression · overbearing · heavy-handed
Calculated false front
- feintDeceptive mock attack
- bravadoPretense of fearlessness
- false frontMisleading outward appearance
- facadeDeceptive outward appearance
show · sham · pretense · posturing · empty threats · all talk · paper tiger · smoke and mirrors
Angry prolonged outburst
- raveEnthusiastic praise or nightlong dance
- harangueAggressive lengthy scolding
- tiradeExtended angry speech
- diatribeBitter, prolonged verbal attack
fulminate · declaim · spout · thunder · pontificate · bombastic · grandiloquent · windbag
Severe sustained wind
- gustBrief wind surge
- squallBrief, violent windstorm
- tempestViolent windstorm or turmoil
- blastSudden forceful burst
howling · whistling · billowing · whirlwind · windstorm · breezy · drafty · turbulent
Intense, violent anger
- fumeToxic vapor emission
- seetheBoil with quiet rage
- stormSevere atmospheric disturbance
- explodeBurst with sudden force
erupt · thunder · roar · snarl · bark · growl · sputter · splutter
Severe atmospheric disturbance
- tempestViolent windstorm or turmoil
- squallBrief, violent windstorm
- thunderstormViolent weather with lightning
- galeSevere sustained wind
downpour · deluge · thunder · torrent · cloudburst · turbulent · inclement · foul weather
brag
Speak with excessive pride
braggadocio · grandstanding · puffery · hot air · big talk · boast · crow · vaunt · gasconade · rodomontade
threaten
Promise harm or punishment
coerce · domineer · swagger · strut · posture · chest-thumping · aggression · overbearing · heavy-handed · strongarm
bluff
Calculated false front
- feintDeceptive mock attack
- bravadoPretense of fearlessness
- false frontMisleading outward appearance
facade · show · sham · pretense · posturing · empty threats · all talk · paper tiger · smoke and mirrors · hollow
rant
Angry prolonged outburst
- raveEnthusiastic praise or nightlong dance
- harangueAggressive lengthy scolding
- tiradeExtended angry speech
diatribe · fulminate · declaim · spout · thunder · pontificate · bombastic · grandiloquent · windbag · loudmouth
gale
Severe sustained wind
blast · howling · whistling · billowing · whirlwind · windstorm · breezy · drafty · turbulent · chinook
rage
Intense, violent anger
explode · erupt · thunder · roar · snarl · bark · growl · sputter · splutter · blow up
storm
Severe atmospheric disturbance
- tempestViolent windstorm or turmoil
- squallBrief, violent windstorm
- thunderstormViolent weather with lightning
gale · downpour · deluge · thunder · torrent · cloudburst · turbulent · inclement · foul weather · rough weather
- blatherbabble, balderdash, baloney, blarney, blather
- commotioncommotion, clamor, brouhaha, bedlam, hullabaloo
- ego displaysarrogance, vanity, boasting, showboating, braggadocio
- intimidationthreats, threatening, menacing, intimidate, bullying
- machomachismo, macho man, alpha male, tough guy, bravado
- wind soundshowl, whisper, whoosh, rustle, roar
blusterquiet confidence
humility · modesty · understatement · meekness · reserve
blustercalm
Free from agitation
composure · serenity · tranquility · equanimity · peace
blustery, blustering, blustered, blusterer, blusters, blusterers