bravado
noun
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Displays of bravado may be show-offish, daring, reckless, and inconsistent with good sense—take, for example, the spectacular feats of stuntpeople—but when successful, they are still likely to be met with shouts of "bravo!" Celebrities, political leaders, corporate giants, and schoolyard bullies, however, may show a different flavor of bravado: one that suggests an overbearing boldness that comes from arrogance or from being in a position of power. The word bravado originally comes from the Italian adjective bravo, meaning "wild" or "courageous," which English can also thank for the more common brave.
Examples of bravado in a Sentence
James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 4 June 2026
Three days after the storm, the Herald reported many streets had been cleared of debris, boards placed over shattered winds, gas restored and even some water service running — though George said some of that was false bravado pushed by business owners and the tourism industry.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 3 June 2026
Much like Kurt, Kyle had a confidence that bordered on cockiness while repeatedly showcasing an ability behind the wheel to back up his bravado.
—Jordan Bianchi, New York Times, 21 May 2026
Each person gets a single scene but feels utterly real, with Will Dagger a standout as the cousin, leaking needy bravado, and Constance Shulman very funny as the funeral director, determined to stage a party for a host who refuses to throw one.
—Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 21 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for bravado
Cite this Entry
“Bravado.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bravado. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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bravado
noun
