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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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Example Sentences

Traditionally, headsets are tuned to deliver bass-heavy audio that complements the bombastic experiences that games like Call of Duty and Madden provide.

It’s a place of bombastic contrast, from landscape to weather to wealth inequality.

From Vox

Yes, there was, and it was Oliver Stone’s pompous and bombastic Vietnam drama.

The bombastic entrepreneur made the mistake of openly criticizing China’s regulators, accusing them of operating with a “pawnshop mentality” on stage at an industry conference.

From Fortune

Though her party has roots in Italy’s postwar neo-Fascist movement, Meloni has projected a more moderate and serious image during the coronavirus crisis than the bombastic Salvini and has started to gain significant ground in the centre of Italy.

From Ozy

It opens with a bombastic set piece, but it was far less compelling than many of the little, dialogue-driven conflicts that arose.

Others seemed to be performing bombastic recitals of their grievances as if they were ill-trained actors or undercover agents.

In a TiVo age, who watches political ads anyway, no matter how specious or bombastic?

The yellow ticking clock that punctuates every episode of 24 is simultaneously bombastic, methodical, menacing, and relentless.

And most live music is bombastic, because that's the only way to make money in 2014.

And to think, in a moment of spite, I'd have given it to that bombastic warrior!

I do not mean conventional superiority or bombastic assumption, but what you really believe to be good and noble.

It is true that Culpeper's Herbal appeared later, but this bombastic work was of no botanical value.

He stands in violent contrast with the bombastic heroes of all times—modest, gentle-hearted, and always approachable.

Little drops of water is better than all 167 that bombastic stuff.

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bombastbombax family