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View synonyms for bombastic

bombastic

[ bom-bas-tik ]

adjective

  1. (of speech, writing, etc.) high-sounding; high-flown; inflated; pretentious.

    Synonyms: grandiose, florid, turgid, grandiloquent, pompous



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Other Words From

  • bom·basti·cal·ly adverb
  • unbom·bastic adjective
  • unbom·basti·cal·ly adverb

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Word History and Origins

Origin of bombastic1

First recorded in 1695–1705; bombast + -ic

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Synonym Study

Bombastic, flowery, pretentious, verbose all describe a use or a user of language more elaborate than is justified by or appropriate to the content being expressed. Bombastic suggests language with a theatricality or staginess of style far too powerful or declamatory for the meaning or sentiment being expressed: a bombastic sermon on the evils of cardplaying. Flowery describes language filled with extravagant images and ornate expressions: a flowery eulogy. Pretentious refers specifically to language that is purposely inflated in an effort to impress: a pretentious essay designed to demonstrate one's sophistication. Verbose characterizes utterances or speakers that use more words than necessary to express an idea: a verbose speech, speaker.

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