bombastic

adjective

bäm-ˈba-stik How to pronounce bombastic (audio)
Definition of bombasticnext
as in rhetorical
marked by the use of impressive-sounding but mostly meaningless words and phrases a bombastic speech intended to impress the voters in her congressional district

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of bombastic Tasked with shepherding his major stars through bombastic performances, Fern’s directing lacks focus. — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 14 Sep. 2026 Compared with other mega-chain coffee purveyors, Dutch Bros’ menu skews more bombastic and creative. — Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 24 Aug. 2026 Sure enough, during our interview, her answers betray a bombastic staccato honed on the stump. — Charlie Campbell, Time, 11 Aug. 2026 Fans have in some instances railed against commentator Alexi Lalas, a veteran analyst, player and soccer executive who has been accused of being too bombastic, and even partisan during his time on air. — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 22 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for bombastic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bombastic
  1. rhetorical
  2. inflated
  3. pontifical
Adjective
  • Maybe that’s what tips her into some recklessness of her own, with an explanation of Hal’s forceful personality and brilliant rhetorical style as being intoxicating.
    — Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026
  • That club includes former President Obama, whose rhetorical style has been compared to the young senator.
    — Jared Gans, The Hill, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of rhetorical
Adjective
  • The boxes allegedly cost substantially less to produce, allowing the conspirators to use the inflated prices to finance bribes and divert government funds.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2026
  • As a result, conventional estimates produced inflated efficiency values that failed to reflect actual device behavior under operating conditions.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of inflated
Adjective
  • In another decree published Monday, Leo canceled Francis’ plans to move some of the Vatican’s secret archives and library holdings out of the city state and onto the grounds of a pontifical university across town.
    — Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Leo opened his visit to Pompeii by meeting with sick and disabled people who are cared for by a charity center affiliated with the sanctuary, which Leo’s namesake, Pope Leo XIII, declared a pontifical basilica in 1901.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 May 2026
Definition of pontifical

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bombastic
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Cite this Entry

“Bombastic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bombastic. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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