Synonyms of bombastic

bombastic

adjective

bäm-ˈba-stik 

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

• rhetorical
• inflated
• pontifical
• grandiloquent
• gaseous
• oratorical
• ornate
• flatulent
• gassy
• fustian
• grandiose
• windy
• pretentious
• orotund
• turgid
• pompous
• florid
• bloated
• flowery
• elevated
• stilted
• lofty
• high-sounding
• wordy
• verbose
• high-flown
• tumid
• highfalutin
• overdone

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• eloquent
• direct
• simple
• plain
• matter-of-fact
• unrhetorical
• straightforward
• unadorned
• unaffected
• bald
• stark
• unpretentious
• well-spoken
• plainspoken

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of bombastic

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

This bombastic rhetoric echoes an inherent feeling of frustration in Russia over the failure to segregate Ukraine from the West. — Ihor N. Stelmach, Hartford Courant, 19 July 2026

Some of these movies manage to hold viewers’ attention with bombastic action scenes that command focus on a big screen. — Isabel Fattal, The Atlantic, 18 July 2026

Historic World Cup clashes, controversial refereeing calls, viral locker-room videos and a bombastic TV rant have deepened resentment, turning Argentina–Mexico tensions into a proxy battle over class, race and nationalism. — Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026