Dictionary blusterLoud empty talk

verb

bluster

BLUS-ter/ˈblʌstər/

To speak loudly and aggressively with little real force.

The manager begins to bluster while his coworkers ignore him.

A loud gesturing man receives little attention from seated coworkers.

Etymology

blüstrenMiddle Low Germanto blow violently; representative of the Low German source

Violent blowing and angry shouting led to loud aggressive speech with little force.

More examples

He continued to bluster instead of answering.
She let the bully bluster until he ran out of breath.

Forms

bluster

Similar words

rant: Emphasizes prolonged angry speech.
bluff: Emphasizes pretending to have strength or power.