vaunt

The word "vaunt" means to boast proudly and openly about something, often in a way that sounds excessive, arrogant, or self-important. A person may vaunt their victories, wealth, skill, or status. The word suggests more than a simple statement of fact; it points to a display of pride meant to impress others.

It often has a negative shade. If someone quietly mentions an achievement, that is not usually called vaunting. But if they keep drawing attention to their success, praising themselves, or making sure everyone notices what they have done, this word fits much better. In that sense, it is close to "boast" or "brag," but it feels more formal and often more critical.

You will often meet it in literature, historical writing, or elevated speech, where proud rulers, warriors, or ambitious figures vaunt their power or their lineage. In modern English, people may also know the related adjective vaunted. If a writer mentions a "much-vaunted" plan or a "vaunted" defense, they mean it has been praised a great deal, sometimes with a hint that the praise may be more than it deserves.

So, if someone is loudly praising their own greatness or proudly showing off what they have achieved, they are not just boasting; they are vaunting.