swashbuckling

adjective

swash·​buck·​ling ˈswäsh-ˌbə-k(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce swashbuckling (audio)
ˈswȯsh-
1
: acting in the manner of a swashbuckler
2
: characteristic of, marked by, or done by swashbucklers

Examples of swashbuckling in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web During their years in Havana, the couple raised two daughters while Morgan cut a swashbuckling public figure who was sought out by reporters and became the center of attention of U.S. intelligence investigators and the Kennedy White House during a critical period of the Cold War. Michael Sallah, Miami Herald, 17 Apr. 2024 The book — the first in a trilogy being published by Harper Voyager — is a swashbuckling high seas adventure following a notorious Muslim pirate captain who has survived backstabbing rogues, vengeful merchant princes, several husbands and an actual demon before retiring to a life of piety. Alex Ritman, Variety, 7 Mar. 2024 Our Flag Means Death season 2 reunites swashbuckling lovers Stede Bonnet (Rhys Darby) and Blackbeard (Taika Waititi) after their tragic parting in season 1. Devan Coggan, EW.com, 6 Oct. 2023 Beloved for its swashbuckling narrative and whimsical characters and trappings — Tinker Bell, Captain Hook, Peter’s detachable shadow — the story abounds in resonance. Celia Wren, Washington Post, 14 Feb. 2024 The football world would be forced to view him in a different light — perhaps then his doubters finally get to enjoy his highly entertaining, swashbuckling game. Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2024 There’s food, drinks, costumes, and all sorts of swashbuckling shenanigans, including a standout drag performance from Wee John (Kristian Nairn). Ew Staff Published, EW.com, 12 Dec. 2023 Throughout 2022 Finkelstein had turned to several swashbuckling editors to lead the site courting former Vanity Fair and New Yorker editor Tina Brown, former Us Weekly and THR editor Janice Min and former Cosmopolitan editor in chief Joanna Coles who all turned down his overtures. Lachlan Cartwright, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Feb. 2024 In some ways, Antonio spends much of the novel as a swashbuckling trope, navigating familiar cinematic scrapes. Mark Athitakis, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'swashbuckling.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

swashbuckler

First Known Use

circa 1693, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of swashbuckling was circa 1693

Dictionary Entries Near swashbuckling

Cite this Entry

“Swashbuckling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/swashbuckling. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

swashbuckling

adjective
swash·​buck·​ling ˈswäsh-ˌbək-(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce swashbuckling (audio)
ˈswȯsh-
1
: acting in the manner of a swashbuckler
2
: characteristic of, marked by, or done by swashbucklers
swashbuckling adventure
a swashbuckling tale

More from Merriam-Webster on swashbuckling

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