bombastic

[ bom-bas-tik ]

adjective

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

   Synonyms: grandiose, florid, turgid, grandiloquent, pompous

Other Words From

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of bombastic¹

First recorded in 1695–1705; bombast + -ic

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.

Example Sentences

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

From The Daily Beast

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

From The Daily Beast

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

From The Daily Beast

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

From The Daily Beast

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

From The Daily Beast

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• grandiose
• histrionic
• histrionical
• rhapsodic