bombastic

Also bom·bas·ti·cal

[bom-bas-tik]

adjective

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

   Synonyms: grandiose, florid, turgid, grandiloquent, pompous

Other Word Forms

• bombastically adverb
• unbombastic adjective
• unbombastically 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

The final product moves swiftly over 10 songs, the track list starts with a flurry of energy from the bombastic opening drums of “Better Days” that propel a song on inner reflection on the past.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

But if a client’s grandiose expectations flow from a TikTok video or a bombastic podcaster, Sprung issues an “it’s too good to be true” warning.

Read more on MarketWatch

The singer herself billed the album as a bombastic, infectious slate of pop standards, one that would feel as exciting as her Eras Tour shows.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Last time Swift was in theaters, it was for “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” in 2023, a concert film re-creating the experience of her bombastic shows.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Even if the prime minister suddenly developed the silky charm and persuasiveness of George Clooney, or the bombastic nature of Piers Morgan, the question becomes, what is the story he wants to tell?

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• grandiose 
• histrionic 
• histrionical www.thesaurus.com
• rhapsodic