What does brazenly mean?
Brazenly is an adverb describing actions performed openly and without shame, especially where such shamelessness is inappropriate or shocking. Someone who acts brazenly does not merely behave boldly — they display a conspicuous absence of guilt, embarrassment, or concern for what others think, often in defiance of rules, social norms, or authority. The word derives from 'brazen', meaning made of brass, which came to signify impudent boldness by association with the metal's hard, unyielding, and loud character. In modern usage, 'brazenly' almost always carries a critical or disapproving tone: politicians may brazenly break promises, companies may brazenly ignore regulations, and individuals may brazenly tell lies to someone's face. It is common in journalism, legal commentary, and everyday criticism of misconduct, making it a precise and forceful choice whenever a writer wants to emphasise not only that something wrong was done, but that it was done flagrantly and without remorse.
adverbIn a brazen manner; openly and shamelessly, without any attempt to hide or feel embarrassment about one's actions.
- Openly and without shame or embarrassment; with impudent boldness.
"He brazenly walked out of the meeting without asking anyone's permission."
"The company brazenly ignored every safety regulation in pursuit of higher profits."
"She brazenly asked for a raise during her very first week on the job."
To do something 'brazenly' is, quite literally, to act like brass — the word comes from an Old English term for the metal itself.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of brazenly
Brazenly derives from 'brazen', an adjective formed from Middle English 'brasen', meaning made of brass, from Old English 'bræsen'. The figurative sense of brazen — shameless and impudent — developed by the 16th century, likely evoking the hardness and harsh sound of brass, and 'brazenly' emerged as its adverbial form shortly afterwards. The underlying noun 'brass' ultimately traces back through Old English to Proto-Germanic origins.
Related word forms
How brazenly is actually used
Carries a strongly negative connotation — it implies not just boldness but a lack of conscience or decency about one's behaviour. Common in journalistic and formal writing when criticising conduct. Not typically used for positive or admirable boldness; 'boldly' or 'fearlessly' would be preferred there.
Easily confused with brazenly
'Baldly' means plainly or bluntly without embellishment, while 'brazenly' specifically implies doing something with shameless boldness.