English is one of the most common languages worldwide, spoken by over a billion people, including in non-native English-speaking countries. Interestingly, the number of words in English is almost as many as the people speaking this language. One English word we are happy to discuss is “brazen,” i.e., brazen definition, meaning, and usage.
Brazen means shameless or impudent. Refer to this term when describing a person disrespectfully bold or unrestrained by a sense of shame; bold self-assurance. Brazen also means having a loud, typically harsh, or resonant sound. Also, use it in a sentence when describing an object coated with brass.
The word “brazen” is not as popular as you may assume; you might have read it for the first time just now. While most people associate the word with the metal “brass,” there is more to this word than that. We will be discussing everything here in depth, from the brazen definition, pronunciation, history, usage, and much more.
What is the Definition of Brazen?
Brazen is “an unrestrained sense of shame or rude confidence.” The word also means disrespectful courage, a very common definition. It also refers to something or someone with a loud and harsh sound.
Here are a few examples in sentences:
- Marie’s new role in the play has made her brazen to people around her.
- The majority of criminals here in Florida have become so brazen off late.
- The constant praise from her colleagues has made her so brazen, something many are beginning to question.
- It takes a brazen person to deal with that kind of work environment.
Brazen is also defined as something made of brass, coated with brass, or resembling the metal in color and shape. Below are examples in sentences.
- The brazen statue is the most beautiful part of the park.
- As you take the tool to the artisan, make sure he makes the case more brazen.
- For three months now, Steve has been looking for something brazen for his project.
What is the Meaning of Brazen?
The word “brazen” means “shameless or impudent.” It refers to a person unapologetically or shamelessly bold and unrestrained by convention. It also describes something shocking or done without shame.
Here are examples in sentences:
- Being so brazen is not as easy as you think.
- Youths should know that being brazen will not always get you the respect you need.
- Martin came out of prison a few years ago and has lived a brazen life since then.
Other Meanings of Brazen
Like many English words, “brazen” has several meanings. Below are other meanings of this word apart from what is explained above.
Another meaning of brazen is something made of or resembling brass (metal). The item may resemble brass in strength or color. Below are some examples in sentences.
- My favorite thing about the new bag is that it’s brazen.
- I love a brazen statue, whether big or small.
- Getting that figurine brazen was not an easy task.
Furthermore, the word “brazen” is usually used in the phrase “brazen it out.” This phrase implies facing something, someone, or a situation with defiance or impudence. Here are some sentence examples.
- The best response to such a situation is to brazen it out.
- When she discovered she couldn’t change the situation, she decided to brazen it out.
- The tutor’s response was so triggering that she decided to brazen it out.
Another meaning of brazen is sounding harsh and loud, like resounding brass. When used in such contexts, the word sounds bad, disturbing, negative, or rude. Below are some examples.
- The fire bell lets out a horrible brazen voice.
- Mark spoke out with an unsettling, brazen voice.
- Does it have to sound so brazen, or can something be done?
How to Use Brazen in a Sentence
You can use brazen in a sentence as an adjective or a transitive verb. However, when used as a verb, it is usually part of the phrase “brazen it out.”
When using this word in a sentence, you should know its many meanings, synonyms, and antonyms. Understanding all this will help you apply the word and its different forms effortlessly.
Synonyms of Brazen
The English language is quite interesting. There are multiple words, and some have the same meaning. This implies not all of them are unique or have different meanings. These words are known as synonyms. The synonyms differ depending on the meaning of the word. Below are some top synonyms of brazen, depending on the definition;
Synonyms with the meaning “bold and without shame.”
- Bold
- Brash
- Forward
- Insolent
- Shameless
- Defiant
- Impudent
- Unashamed
- Audacious
- Brassy
- Saucy
- Unblushing
- Blatant
- Presumptuous
- Unembarrassed
- Immodest
- Impertinent
- Barefaced
- Bald-faced
- Indecent
- Loud
- Overbold
- Nervy
- Gritty
- Gutsy
Synonyms with the meaning “made of brass.”
- Brass
- Metallic
- Brass-like
- Made of brass
- Bronze
- Brassy
Synonyms with the meaning “apparent or obvious.”
- Transparent
- Blatant
- Flagrant
- Patent
- Obvious
- Manifest
- Unconcealed
- Barefaced
- Glaring
- Undisguised
- Clear
- Plain
- Visible
- Noticeable
- Recognizable
Antonyms of Brazen
An antonym is a word with the opposite meaning of another. Like synonyms, the antonyms of a word may differ depending on its numerous meanings. This applies to words with more than one meaning. Note that if a word has more than one meaning, the antonyms in one meaning may not apply to those of another meaning.
Antonyms of brazen with the meaning “bold and without shame.”
- Shy
- Timid
- Meek
- Mousy
- Diffident
- Modest
- Reserved
- Respectful
- Reticent
- Stealthy
- Discreet
- Humble
- Quiet
- Shamed
- Reticent
- Bashful
- Withdrawn
- Timorous
- Demure
- Introverted
- Unassertive
- Sneaky
- Coy
- Covert
Antonyms of brazen with the meaning “apparent or obvious.”
- Obscure
- Unfathomable
- Acroamatic
- Hidden
- Orphic
- Esoteric
- Unapparent
- Undecipherable
- Mysterious
10 Examples of Brazen in a Sentence
Now that you understand the different meanings of “brazen,” you can start using the word in sentences. Let us inspire you with the following examples of “brazen” in a sentence.
- The rapper shocked everyone with her brazen character when she took off her shirt on stage.
- The thugs shot several police officers in a brazen assault.
- The criminals were brazen enough to leave a mocking note after executing a heist at the bank.
- The church members saw her brazen behavior for the first time when she attended service in a very short dress.
- The United States was shocked by the brazen response from Russia after the sanctions.
- The brazen figurine is the most sought-after item in the merchandise store.
- The brazen reporter did not shy away from asking questions about Will Smith’s behavior at the 2022 Oscar.
- The brazen child shocked everyone when she spoke about her parent’s fight in front of the guests.
- It takes being brazen to survive the current political climate in the United States.
- The brazen teenager walked right into the house and took back a book a bully had taken from her sister.
How Do You Spell Brazen?
The right spelling for this word is “B.R.A.Z.E.N.”
This word is relatively easy to spell. However, some people make spelling mistakes by using the letter “Z” instead of “S.” This happens because of the word’s relation with metal (brass). Ensure you master the spelling of this word before attempting to use it in written sentences.
How Do You Pronounce Brazen?
This word’s best pronunciation is “/bray-zn/.”
Pronouncing this word is quite easy. It is basically pronounced the same way as it is spelled. Therefore, you should not have any issues using it in conversations.
How Many Syllables are in Brazen?
The word brazen has two syllables; “-bra-zen.”
The word brazen is divided into two sounds; “-bra -zen.” The stressed syllable is “-bra.” Words with two syllables are the easiest to pronounce. Note that the number of syllables in a word and where the stressed syllable falls will determine how it is spoken.
History & Etymology of Brazen
The word stems from the Middle English word “brazen,” which means “made of brass,” from Old English bræs (brass). This explains the meaning “made of or resembling brass.”
The figurative sense of the word “shameless or bold” was introduced in the 1550s. This means that the other meanings of brazen cropped up in the 1550s.
When Was Brazen First Used?
The adjective form of the word “brazen” was first used in the 12th century. However, its applications and meanings have changed over the years.
In the 12th century, the word was used to refer to something made of or resembling brass. However, its first figurative use was in the 1550s. This was the first time it was used to refer to someone unashamed or unapologetically bold. Since the 1550s, its meaning has not changed. However, in the early 1600s, a new meaning of “overly loud or showy” came into being.
Conclusion
Brazen means overly, disrespectfully, or unapologetically bold. The word also refers to a loud irritating sound and something resembling or made of brass. This word is easy to pronounce and spell as it is spoken as it is written. Now that you have all this information on the brazen definition, meaning, and usage, you can now embrace this word. We look forward to seeing you use this word!
Shawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He’s one part content manager, one part writing ninja organizer, and two parts leader of top content creators. You don’t even want to know what he calls pancakes.