brazen
Brazen describes behavior that is bold, shameless, and often shocking because it ignores traditional rules of conduct or morality. It is frequently used when someone does something wrong but makes no effort to hide their actions.
Examples
3 of 5I can't believe her brazen attitude when she walked in late without apologizing.
I am shocked by her bold and shameless behavior when she arrived late without an apology.
The committee condemned the official's brazen disregard for established protocols.
The committee officially criticized the leader's open and shameless ignoring of the rules.
That was a brazen lie, and everyone in the room knew it.
That was an incredibly obvious and shameless lie that everyone recognized immediately.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of the phrase 'brass neck.' 'Brazen' comes from the word 'brass.' Imagine someone with a face made of hard, unmoving metal who doesn't blush when they get caught doing something wrong.
Quick Quiz
The thief showed ______ disregard for the security cameras, looking directly into the lens while stealing the watch.
Correct!
The correct answer is: brazen
Examples
I can't believe her brazen attitude when she walked in late without apologizing.
everydayI am shocked by her bold and shameless behavior when she arrived late without an apology.
The committee condemned the official's brazen disregard for established protocols.
formalThe committee officially criticized the leader's open and shameless ignoring of the rules.
That was a brazen lie, and everyone in the room knew it.
informalThat was an incredibly obvious and shameless lie that everyone recognized immediately.
Scholars argue that the regime's brazen manipulation of data led to its eventual downfall.
academicResearchers argue that the government's shameless and open faking of information caused its collapse.
The startup's brazen attempt to poach clients from its competitor sparked a legal battle.
businessThe new company's bold and shameless effort to steal customers from its rival caused a lawsuit.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
brazen it out
To act as if you have done nothing wrong when you have been caught
a brazen hussy
An old-fashioned, insulting term for a woman perceived as shameless
brazen-faced
Describing someone who is completely shameless
Often Confused With
Blatant focuses on how obvious an action is; brazen focuses on the lack of shame of the person doing it.
Brash implies being energetic but lacking tact or experience; brazen implies a willful violation of social norms.
Usage Notes
Brazen usually has a negative connotation. It is rarely used to describe 'bravery' in a heroic sense; rather, it describes 'boldness' in a disrespectful or rule-breaking sense.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes use 'brazen' as a positive synonym for 'courageous.' Remember that 'brazen' implies that the person should probably feel ashamed but doesn't.
Memory Tip
Think of the phrase 'brass neck.' 'Brazen' comes from the word 'brass.' Imagine someone with a face made of hard, unmoving metal who doesn't blush when they get caught doing something wrong.
Word Origin
Derived from the Old English 'bræsen,' meaning 'made of brass,' which eventually evolved to describe someone with a 'hard' or shameless exterior like metal.
Grammar Patterns
Quick Quiz
The thief showed ______ disregard for the security cameras, looking directly into the lens while stealing the watch.
Correct!
The correct answer is: brazen
Related Words
to
A1Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.
and
A1A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.
a
A1A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.
that
A1This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.
I
A1The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.
for
A1Used to show who is intended to have or use something, or to explain the purpose or reason for an action. It is also frequently used to indicate a specific duration of time.
not
A1A function word used to express negation or denial. It is primarily used to make a sentence or phrase negative, often following an auxiliary verb or the verb 'to be'.
with
A1A preposition used to indicate that people or things are together, in the same place, or performing an action together. It can also describe the instrument used to perform an action or a characteristic that someone or something has.
he
A1A pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified. It functions as the subject of a sentence.
you
A1Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.
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