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

Sure enough, during our interview, her answers betray a bombastic staccato honed on the stump. — Charlie Campbell, Time, 11 Aug. 2026

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

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