blusterings
noisy empty threats
Blusterings are instances of loud, aggressive, or boastful talk that lacks substance.
The word captures repeated episodes of someone speaking forcefully while failing to back up their words with action: His blusterings about lawsuits never amounted to anything.
Weather can also produce blusterings—gusts of wind that howl and bluster without building into a real storm.
Pretense of fearlessness
- swaggerConfident, boastful manner
- grandstandingPerforming to impress onlookers
- posturingInsincere behavior for effect
- chest-thumpingShowy, aggressive boasting
pompous · vainglorious · showboating · puffery · braggadocio · bloviating · huffing · ranting
Loud persistent noise
- dinSustained unpleasant noise
- racketUproar, scam, or paddle
- blaringHarshly loud
- bellowingLoud, deep shouting
booming · thundering · roaring · hullabaloo · uproar · tumult · commotion · clangor
Calculated false front
- sabre-rattlingThreatening military action loudly
- intimidationDeliberate fear-inducing pressure
- menaceSource of potential harm
- bullyingAggressive repeated intimidation
coercion · fearmongering · scare tactics · bark · hot air · paper tiger · empty promises · ultimatum
Severe sustained wind
- squallBrief, violent windstorm
- gustsSudden bursts of air
- tempestViolent windstorm or turmoil
- windstormViolent atmospheric disturbance
nor'easter · howling · roaring · biting wind · stormy · turbulence · buffeting · whipping
bravado
Pretense of fearlessness
- swaggerConfident, boastful manner
- grandstandingPerforming to impress onlookers
- posturingInsincere behavior for effect
chest-thumping · pompous · vainglorious · showboating · puffery · braggadocio · bloviating · huffing · ranting · raving
clamor
Loud persistent noise
bellowing · booming · thundering · roaring · hullabaloo · uproar · tumult · commotion · clangor · loudness
bluff
Calculated false front
- sabre-rattlingThreatening military action loudly
- intimidationDeliberate fear-inducing pressure
- menaceSource of potential harm
bullying · coercion · fearmongering · scare tactics · bark · hot air · paper tiger · empty promises · ultimatum · strong-arming
gale
Severe sustained wind
windstorm · nor'easter · howling · roaring · biting wind · stormy · turbulence · buffeting · whipping · inclement
blusteringswhispers
Speaks very quietly
mutterings · taciturnity · reticence · murmurs · gentle words
blusteringsstillness
Complete lack of motion
calm · tranquility · serenity · peacefulness · gentleness