bombastic
Use Bombastic in a sentence
tɪk adjective
(of speech, writing, etc.) high-sounding; high-flown; inflated; pretentious.
Also, bom·bas·ti·cal.
Related forms
bom·bas·ti·cal·ly, adverb
un·bom·bas·tic, adjective
un·bom·bas·ti·cal·ly, adverb
Synonyms
pompous, grandiloquent, turgid, florid, grandiose. 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.
pompous, grandiloquent, turgid, florid, grandiose. 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.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To bombastic
00:10
Bombastic
is a GRE word you need to know.
So is specious. Does it mean:
| to speak or write in favor of; support or urge by argument; recommend publicly: |
| apparently good or right though lacking real merit; superficially pleasing or plausible: |
Collins
World English Dictionary
bombast (ˈbɒmbæst) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | pompous and grandiloquent language |
| 2. | obsolete material used for padding |
| [C16: from Old French bombace, from Medieval Latin bombāx cotton; see | |
| bom'bastic | |
| —adj | |
| bom'bastically | |
| —adv | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
bombastic
1704, "inflated," from bombast (q.v.). Meaning "given to bombastic language" is from 1727.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
The overblown effects feel bombastic rather than spellbinding.
No time is wasted on unnecessary frills or bombastic interpretations.
The predictably bombastic response from the largely left-leaning geologist profession is really getting old.
You are correct that my analogy was a little too bombastic.
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