bombastic

adjective

bom·​bas·​tic bäm-ˈba-stik 

: marked by or given to speech or writing that is given exaggerated importance by artificial or empty means : marked by or given to bombast : pompous, overblown

The spots that ran before the title game were even more bombastic: "The greatest rivalry ever …"

—Franz Lidz

bombastically

bäm-ˈba-sti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Synonyms of bombastic

• rhetorical
• inflated
• pontifical

Examples of bombastic in a Sentence

a bombastic speech intended to impress the voters in her congressional district

Recent Examples on the Web

Reminiscent of the bombastic historical action in Pirates of the Caribbean and Indiana Jones, Redcoat pulls back the curtain of American history to tell the legend of the unknown hero. —Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 14 Nov. 2025

There was something quieter and more introspective about Made in the AM, even in its most bombastic moments. —Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 13 Nov. 2025

For example, Colman Domingo, a hoot as the bombastic game-show host Bobby T, is seen actually doing the running-man dance. —Brian Truitt, USA Today, 11 Nov. 2025

She was promoted by the legendary Don King, arguably the most bombastic personality in a sport full of them. —Greg Rosenstein, NBC news, 8 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

bombast + -ic entry 1

First Known Use

1648, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for bombastic

• aplastic
• dynastic
• dysplastic
• elastic
• fantastic
• gymnastic
• monastic
• sarcastic
• scholastic
• silastic
• stochastic
• aeroelastic