Bluff vs. Bluster — What's the Difference?
Difference Between Bluff and Bluster
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Definitions
Bluff
An attempt to deceive someone into believing that one can or is going to do something
His game of bluff
The offer was denounced as a bluff
Bluster
To blow in loud, violent gusts, as the wind during a storm.
Bluff
A steep cliff, bank, or promontory.
Bluster
To speak in a loudly arrogant or bullying manner.
Bluff
A grove or clump of trees.
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Bluster
To brag or make loud, empty threats.
Bluff
Try to deceive someone as to one's abilities or intentions
The object is to bluff your opponent into submission
He's been bluffing all along
They bluffed their way past the sentries
Bluster
To force or bully with swaggering threats.
Bluff
Direct in speech or behaviour but in a good-natured way
A big, bluff, hearty man
Bluster
A violent, gusty wind.
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Bluff
(of a cliff or a ship's bows) having a vertical or steep broad front.
Bluster
Turbulence or noisy confusion.
Bluff
To engage in a false display of confidence or aggression in order to deceive or intimidate someone
The management debated if there would really be a strike or if the union was bluffing.
Bluster
Loud, arrogant speech, often full of empty threats.
Bluff
To make a display of aggression, as by charging or baring the teeth, as a means of intimidating another animal.
Bluster
Pompous, officious talk.
Bluff
To try to mislead opponents in a card game by heavy betting on a poor hand or by little or no betting on a good one.
Bluster
A gust of wind.
Bluff
To deceive or intimidate (someone) by a false display of confidence or aggression.
Bluster
Fitful noise and violence.
Bluff
To try to mislead (opponents) in a card game by heavy betting on a poor hand or by little or no betting on a good one.
Bluster
To speak or protest loudly.
When confronted by opposition his reaction was to bluster, which often cowed the meek.
Bluff
To start but not carry out (an action) as a means of deceiving or intimidating another
The pitcher bluffed a throw to first base.
Bluster
To act or speak in an unduly threatening manner.
Bluff
The act or practice of bluffing.
Bluster
To blow in strong or sudden gusts.
Bluff
A steep headland, promontory, riverbank, or cliff.
Bluster
To blow fitfully with violence and noise, as wind; to be windy and boisterous, as the weather.
And ever-threatening stormsOf Chaos blustering round.
Bluff
Having or showing a rough and blunt but not unkind manner
"the great big bluff guests who told bawdy jokes and got up early to watch the sun rise" (Erin McGraw).
Bluster
To talk with noisy violence; to swagger, as a turbulent or boasting person; to act in a noisy, tumultuous way; to play the bully; to storm; to rage.
Your ministerial directors blustered like tragic tyrants.
Bluff
Having a broad, steep front
The boat's bluff bow.
Bluster
To utter, or do, with noisy violence; to force by blustering; to bully.
He bloweth and blustereth out . . . his abominable blasphemy.
As if therewith he meant to bluster all princes into a perfect obedience to his commands.
Bluff
An act of bluffing; a false expression of the strength of one's position in order to intimidate; braggadocio.
That is only bluff, or a bluff.
Bluster
Fitful noise and violence, as of a storm; violent winds; boisterousness.
To the winds they setTheir corners, when with bluster to confoundSea, air, and shore.
Bluff
(poker) An attempt to represent oneself as holding a stronger hand than one actually does.
John's bet was a bluff: he bet without even so much as a pair.
Bluster
Noisy and violent or threatening talk; noisy and boastful language.
Bluff
The card game poker.
Bluster
Noisy confusion and turbulence;
He was awakened by the bluster of their preparations
Bluff
One who bluffs; a bluffer.
Bluster
A swaggering show of courage
Bluff
An excuse.
Bluster
A violent gusty wind
Bluff
A high, steep bank, for example by a river or the sea, or beside a ravine or plain; a cliff with a broad face.
Bluster
Vain and empty boasting
Bluff
(Canadian Prairies) A small wood or stand of trees, typically poplar or willow.
Bluster
Blow hard; be gusty, as of wind;
A southeaster blustered onshore
The flames blustered
Bluff
(poker) To make a bluff; to give the impression that one's hand is stronger than it is.
John bluffed by betting without even a pair.
Bluster
Show off
Bluff
(by analogy) To frighten or deter with a false show of strength or confidence; to give a false impression of strength or temerity in order to intimidate and gain some advantage.
The government claims it will call an election if this bill does not pass. Is it truly ready to do so, or is it bluffing?
Bluster
Act in an arrogant, overly self-assured, or conceited manner
Bluff
To take advantage by bluffing.
We bluffed our way past the guards.
Bluff
To give false information intentionally; to lie; to deceive
Bluff
To fluff, puff or swell up.
Bluff
Having a broad, flattened front.
The bluff bows of a ship
Bluff
Rising steeply with a flat or rounded front.
Bluff
Surly; churlish; gruff; rough.
Bluff
Roughly frank and hearty in one's manners.
A bluff answer
A bluff manner of talking
A bluff sea captain
Bluff
Having a broad, flattened front; as, the bluff bows of a ship.
Bluff
Rising steeply with a flat or rounded front.
Its banks, if not really steep, had a bluff and precipitous aspect.
Bluff
Surly; churlish; gruff; rough.
Bluff
Abrupt; roughly frank; unceremonious; blunt; brusque; as, a bluff answer; a bluff manner of talking; a bluff sea captain.
There is indeed a bluff pertinacity which is a proper defense in a moment of surprise.
Bluff
A high, steep bank, as by a river or the sea, or beside a ravine or plain; a cliff with a broad face.
Beach, bluff, and wave, adieu.
Bluff
An act of bluffing; an expression of self-confidence for the purpose of intimidation; braggadocio; as, that is only bluff, or a bluff.
Bluff
A game at cards; poker.
Bluff
To deter (an opponent) from taking the risk of betting on his hand of cards, as the bluffer does by betting heavily on his own hand although it may be of less value.
Bluff
To frighten or deter from accomplishing a purpose by making a show of confidence in one's strength or resources; as, he bluffed me off.
Bluff
To act as in the game of bluff.
Bluff
A high steep bank (usually formed by river erosion)
Bluff
Pretense that your position is stronger than it really is;
His bluff succeeded in getting him accepted
Bluff
The act of bluffing in poker; deception by a false show of confidence in the strength of your cards
Bluff
Deceive an opponent by a bold bet on an inferior hand with the result that the opponent withdraws a winning hand
Bluff
Frighten someone by pretending to be stronger than one really is
Bluff
Very steep; having a prominent and almost vertical front;
A bluff headland
Where the bold chalk cliffs of England rise
A sheer descent of rock
Bluff
Bluntly direct and outspoken but good-natured;
A bluff but pleasant manner
A bluff and rugged natural leader
