Bold vs. Brazen — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 15, 2024
Bold actions reflect courage and willingness to take risks, whereas brazen behavior is marked by a blatant disregard for norms and propriety.
Difference Between Bold and Brazen
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Boldness often involves taking calculated risks with a sense of purpose and bravery, whereas brazenness is characterized by an aggressive forwardness and an overt disrespect for convention.
Being bold can be seen as a positive trait in leadership and innovation, highlighting one's readiness to face challenges; on the other hand, being brazen is typically viewed negatively, as it implies rudeness and a lack of consideration for others.
In social contexts, a bold individual might express their opinions firmly but respectfully, while a brazen person may do so without regard for how it affects others.
Artistic expressions termed as bold are usually innovative and daring but maintain a sense of aesthetic or thematic appropriateness, whereas brazen artworks might disregard these aspects in favor of shock value or defiance.
In fashion, bold choices are often about making a statement that stands out yet harmonizes with current trends, whereas brazen choices might ignore accepted fashion norms and aim solely to attract attention through controversy.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Showing an ability to take risks
Showing disregard for norms
Connotation
Positive (courageous, assertive)
Negative (rude, overly aggressive)
Social Acceptability
Generally admired
Often criticized
Context of Use
Leadership, innovation, personal growth
Defiance, controversy, attention-seeking
Perception
Empowering, inspiring
Off-putting, shocking
Compare with Definitions
Bold
Taking risks confidently.
She made a bold decision to invest in an unproven technology.
Brazen
Sounding harsh and loud like struck brass.
The band's brazen music reverberated through the halls.
Bold
Not hesitating or fearing in the face of actual or possible danger.
His bold move saved the day.
Brazen
Showing or expressing boldness and a complete lack of shame.
She gave a brazen laugh in the solemn courtroom.
Bold
Clear and distinct; vivid.
The bold print made the statement very readable.
Brazen
To face with defiance or impudence.
He brazened out the criticism with no apologies.
Bold
Standing out distinctly; conspicuous.
The artist's bold colors caught everyone's attention.
Brazen
Resembling brass, as in color.
The artist used a brazen hue in her sunset painting.
Bold
Necessitating courage and daring.
He was admired for his bold vision for the company.
Brazen
Bold and without shame
A brazen hussy
He went about his illegal business with a brazen assurance
Bold
Fearless and daring; courageous
A bold leader.
Brazen
Made of brass
Brazen fire irons
Bold
Requiring or exhibiting courage or daring
A bold voyage to unknown lands.
Brazen
Endure an embarrassing or difficult situation by behaving with apparent confidence and lack of shame
There was nothing to do but brazen it out
Bold
Unduly forward and brazen; impudent
A bold, sassy child.
Brazen
Unrestrained by a sense of shame; rudely bold.
Bold
Strikingly different or unconventional; arresting or provocative
"[He] laid out a bold, new vision for America's leading universities" (Jerome Karabel).
Brazen
Having a loud, usually harsh, resonant sound
"sudden brazen clashes of the soldiers' band" (James Joyce).
Bold
Clear and distinct to the eye; conspicuous
Bold colors.
A bold pattern.
Brazen
Made of brass.
Bold
Strong or pronounced; prominent
The bold flavor of ginger.
Brazen
Resembling brass, as in color or strength.
Bold
Steep or abrupt in grade or terrain
"The two walk along the high, bold, rocky shore" (Harriet Beecher Stowe).
Brazen
To face or undergo with bold self-assurance
Brazened out the crisis.
Bold
(Printing) Boldface.
Brazen
(archaic) Pertaining to, made of, or resembling brass (in color or strength).
Bold
(obsolete) A dwelling; habitation; building.
Brazen
Sounding harsh and loud, like brass cymbals or brass instruments.
Bold
Courageous, daring.
Bold deeds win admiration and, sometimes, medals.
Brazen
(archaic) Extremely strong; impenetrable; resolute.
Bold
Visually striking; conspicuous.
The painter's bold use of colour and outline
Brazen
Shamelessly shocking and offensive; audacious; impudent; barefaced; immodest, unblushing.
She was brazen enough to deny stealing the handbag even though she was caught on closed-circuit television doing so.
Bold
Having thicker strokes than the ordinary form of the typeface.
The last word of this sentence is bold.
Brazen
(intransitive) To turn a brass color.
Bold
Presumptuous, forward or impudent.
Brazen
(transitive) Generally followed by out or through: to carry through in a brazen manner; to act boldly despite embarrassment, risk, etc.
Bold
(Ireland) Naughty; insolent; badly-behaved.
All of her children are terribly bold and never do as they are told.
Brazen
Pertaining to, made of, or resembling, brass.
Bold
Full-bodied.
Brazen
Sounding harsh and loud, like resounding brass.
Bold
(Philippines) Pornographic; depicting nudity.
Brazen
Impudent; immodest; shameless; having a front like brass; as, a brazen countenance.
Bold
Steep or abrupt.
Brazen
To carry through impudently or shamelessly; as, to brazen the matter through.
Sabina brazened it out before Mrs. Wygram, but inwardly she was resolved to be a good deal more circumspect.
Bold
(transitive) To make (a font or some text) bold.
Brazen
Face with defiance or impudence;
Brazen it out
Bold
To make bold or daring.
Brazen
Unrestrained by convention or propriety;
An audacious trick to pull
A barefaced hypocrite
The most bodacious display of tourism this side of Anaheim
Bold-faced lies
Brazen arrogance
The modern world with its quick material successes and insolent belief in the boundless possibilities of progress
Bold
To become bold or brave.
Brazen
Made of or resembling brass (as in color or hardness)
Bold
Forward to meet danger; venturesome; daring; not timorous or shrinking from risk; brave; courageous.
Throngs of knights and barons bold.
Bold
Exhibiting or requiring spirit and contempt of danger; planned with courage; daring; vigorous.
Bold
In a bad sense, too forward; taking undue liberties; over assuming or confident; lacking proper modesty or restraint; rude; impudent.
Thou art too wild, too rude and bold of voice.
Bold
Somewhat overstepping usual bounds, or conventional rules, as in art, literature, etc.; taking liberties in composition or expression; as, the figures of an author are bold.
The cathedral church is a very bold work.
Bold
Standing prominently out to view; markedly conspicuous; striking the eye; in high relief.
Shadows in painting . . . make the figure bolder.
Bold
Steep; abrupt; prominent.
Where the bold cape its warning forehead rears.
Bold
To make bold or daring.
Bold
To be or become bold.
Bold
A typeface with thick heavy lines
Bold
Fearless and daring;
Bold settlers on some foreign shore
A bold speech
A bold adventure
Bold
Clear and distinct;
Bold handwriting
A figure carved in bold relief
A bold design
Bold
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
Common Curiosities
How does brazen behavior differ from bold behavior?
Brazen behavior displays a blatant disregard for norms and propriety, unlike the more calculated nature of bold behavior.
Can boldness be considered a positive trait?
Yes, boldness is generally viewed positively as it involves courage and initiative.
What makes a person brazen?
A brazen person typically acts with overt disrespect for norms and is unapologetic about it.
Why is brazenness often viewed negatively?
Brazenness is seen negatively due to its association with rudeness and disrespect.
What does it mean to be bold?
Being bold means showing courage and readiness to take risks.
How can boldness influence leadership?
Bold leaders are often admired for their ability to take decisive actions and inspire others.
How can brazen attitudes impact social relationships?
Brazen attitudes can strain social relationships due to perceived arrogance and insensitivity.
Is it good to be bold in business?
In business, being bold can lead to innovation and significant achievements.
Can boldness be misinterpreted as brazenness?
Yes, sometimes bold actions can be misinterpreted as brazen if not considered in context.
How do cultural perceptions affect the acceptance of bold and brazen behaviors?
Cultural norms heavily influence whether bold or brazen behaviors are accepted or frowned upon.
Can fashion choices be both bold and brazen?
Yes, fashion choices can be both bold and brazen, depending on their intention and context.
What is the role of boldness in problem-solving?
Boldness can be crucial in problem-solving, as it encourages tackling challenges head-on.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
