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Showing results for swaggering.
Definitions

swaggering

[swag-er-ing] / ˈswæg ər ɪŋ /
ADJECTIVE
arrogant
Synonyms
STRONGEST
aloof bossy cavalier cocky haughty imperious pompous presumptuous pretentious smug vain
WEAK
assuming audacious autocratic biggety bragging cheeky cold-shoulder conceited contemptuous cool disdainful domineering egotistic high-and-mighty high-handed insolent know-it-all lordly on an ego trip overbearing peremptory proud puffed up scornful self-important smarty smarty-pants sniffy snippy snooty snotty stuck up supercilious superior uppity
Antonyms
STRONGEST
humble modest shy timid unsure
WEAK
meek servile unconceited
ADJECTIVE
boastful
Synonyms
STRONGEST
arrogant bombastic cocky exultant pompous pretentious
WEAK
big big-headed conceited crowing egotistic egotistical full of hot air highfalutin hot stuff know-it-all loudmouth on ego trip puffed-up self-aggrandizing self-applauding smart-alecky snooty strutting stuck-up swanky swollen-headed too big for one's britches vainglorious vaunting windbag
Antonyms
STRONGEST
humble modest unconceited
WEAK
deprecating
ADJECTIVE
bullying
Synonyms
STRONGEST
imperious
STRONG
blustering hectoring
WEAK
despotic
ADJECTIVE
cocky
Synonyms
STRONGEST
arrogant brash cocksure overconfident presumptuous self-confident
WEAK
bumptious certain conceited confident egotistical hotshot hubristic know-it-all lordly nervy overweening positive smart-alecky smarty-pants sure swollen-headed vain
Antonyms
STRONGEST
cautious humble meek self-doubting unsure
WEAK
modest shy tentative timid uncertain
ADJECTIVE
cocksure
Synonyms
WEAK
arrogant brash certain cocky conceited positive sure vain
Antonyms
WEAK
diffident modest
ADJECTIVE
jaunty
Synonyms
STRONGEST
breezy buoyant carefree devilish impish jolly jovial perky playful rollicking sprightly
WEAK
airy animated bold brash careless cocky dapper dashing debonair devil-may-care easy exhilarated flip flippant forward free fresh frisky frolicsome gamesome gay high-spirited hilarious impetuous impudent jocose joking light natty nervy prankish provocative reckless self-confident showy smart sportive sporty spruce trim venturesome vivacious
Antonyms
STRONGEST
depressed sad serious unhappy
WEAK
lethargic lifeless
ADJECTIVE
prideful
Synonyms
WEAK
aloof assuming audacious autocratic biggety boastful bossy bragging cavalier cheeky cocky cold-shoulder conceited contemptuous cool disdainful dismissive domineering egotistic egotistical haughty high-and-mighty high-handed imperious insolent know-it-all lofty lordly narcissistic on an ego trip on one's high horse overbearing overweening peremptory pompous presumptuous pretentious puffed up scornful self-important self-satisfied smug sniffy snippy snobbish snooty snotty stuck-up supercilious superior uppity vain vainglorious
ADJECTIVE
triumphant
Synonyms
STRONGEST
celebratory elated exultant glorious happy jubilant proud triumphal victorious
WEAK
boastful champion conquering dominant in the lead looking good lucky on top out front prizewinning rejoicing unbeaten undefeated winning
Antonyms
STRONGEST
depressed discouraged sad sorrowful unhappy
WEAK
defeated failing losing unsuccessful
ADJECTIVE
vain
Synonyms
STRONGEST
arrogant cocky
WEAK
big-headed boastful conceited egocentric egoistic haughty high-and-mighty inflated narcissistic ostentatious overweening pleased with oneself proud puffed up self-important stuck-up swollen-headed vainglorious
Antonyms
STRONGEST
humble
WEAK
modest possible shy
ADJECTIVE
vainglorious
Synonyms
WEAK
arrogant blowing one's own horn boasting bragging cavalier cocky conceited egotistic egotistical haughty high-and-mighty high-handed huffy overbearing pompous presumptuous pretentious puffed up self-important snobbish snooty strutting stuck-up vain

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Just two months after appearing as the swaggering Kilgore in “Apocalypse Now,” Duvall offered a more intimate variation on a military man — essentially Kilgore without an actual war, just a domestic battlefield.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 17, 2026

It is now narrowly focused on District of Columbia news and politics, making it less a swaggering international newspaper than a publication whose purview matches Politico’s.

From Slate • Feb. 7, 2026

A swaggering drifter named Hal Carter arrives in town looking for work, and by sunset he has thrown the community, especially the fragile Madge Owens, into emotional turmoil.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 2, 2026

The “Saturday Night Live” head writer made the most of his time on two legs, playing Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth as a swaggering, pro wrestling-esque maniac.

From Salon • Dec. 7, 2025

“My mind shot back a decade,” he later recalled, “to that day we had marched into Vietnam, swaggering, confident, and full of idealism.”

From "Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War" by Steve Sheinkin

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