FUSTIAN Synonyms: 74 Similar and Opposite Words

fustian 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of fustian

as in rhetorical

marked by the use of impressive-sounding but mostly meaningless words and phrases one of those fustian odes to patriotic duty that were so beloved by school teachers

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fustian

2 of 2

noun

ˈfəs-chən

as in rhetoric

language that is impressive-sounding but not meaningful or sincere a speech awash in old-fashioned fustian and bereft of all substance

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fustian

Adjective

The latest Piker rhetorical bomb El-Sayed had to dodge was the streamer’s assertion in an interview with Axios, excerpts of which were posted Thursday, that the United States is more of a fomenter of terrorism than al-Qaeda.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026
By retaining too much of the play’s rhetorical architecture, the film turns a provocative dramatic premise into something closer to an illustrated thesis.

— Beandrea July, IndieWire, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of rhetorical

Noun

But hostile rhetoric on both sides underscored the difficulty of any diplomatic efforts.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 28 Sep. 2026
With their rhetoric, the companies appear to be seeking public favor and to set the terms for their own safety protocols in the unregulated market, experts, analysts and former government evaluators told the Associated Press.

— Garance Burke, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of rhetoric

Adjective

The result is a feedback loop where leadership sets aggressive targets, teams present a rosier picture than reality supports and leadership then makes the next round of decisions on inflated data.

— Nacho De Marco, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026
Bad tax advice promoted on social media We've been warned in the past about a flurry of bad tax advice by social media influencers that drove thousands of taxpayers to file bogus tax returns that claimed inflated refunds.

— Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 21 Sep. 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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fussy

fustian

fustigate

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“Fustian.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fustian. Accessed 29 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of fustian

adjective

noun

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