bravado
/brəˈvɑːdəʊ
/noun [mass noun]
A bold manner or a show of boldness intended to impress or intimidate: he possesses none of the classic wheeler-dealer’s casual bravado...
- Swagger and arrogance is all very well but until that huge European Cup is hoisted aloft it is merely bluster and bravado.
- Amid all the glorious fanfares and bravado there will be some frightened and anxious people.
- He has the swagger and bravado - the coloured hair and the flash motor.
Synonyms
boldness, bold manner, swagger, swaggering, bluster, swashbuckling;
machismo;
boasting, boastfulness, bragging, bombast
informal showing off
Australian/New Zealand informal skite
rare braggadocio, rodomontade, fanfaronade, gasconade
Origin
Late 16th century: from Spanish bravada, from bravo 'bold' (see brave, -ado).