turgid

tur·gid | \ ˈtər-jəd

How to pronounce turgid (audio)

\

Definition of turgid

1 : excessively embellished in style or language : bombastic, pompous turgid prose

2 : being in a state of distension : swollen, tumid turgid limbs especially : exhibiting turgor

Other Words from turgid Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about turgid

Keep scrolling for more

Examples of turgid in a Sentence

turgid leeches having had their fill of blood

Recent Examples on the Web Even comedy stalwart Jennifer Coolidge, who features as a dippy employee in Mel and Mia’s store, can’t manage to elevate the turgid script. — Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, "Like a Boss is a female buddy comedy in need of a serious makeover: Review," 9 Jan. 2020 While the north London club developed a reputation under the affable Mauricio Pochettino for being one of the most entertaining teams on the continent, Mourinho's most recent stint in charge of a club was a tetchy, turgid affair that ended messily. — Matias Grez, CNN, "Jose Mourinho and Tottenham: A match made in heaven ... or hell?," 20 Nov. 2019 Now their carcasses were being spewed forth in untold thousands by the rushing waters, to be carried away on the crest of the foaming, turgid flood rushing down the valley. — H.w. Brands, Time, "How Theodore Roosevelt Fell in Love With the American West," 22 Oct. 2019 Like two other influential professors, John Dewey and Thorstein Veblen, both of whom were his exact contemporaries, Boas was a turgid writer. — Louis Menand, The New Yorker, "How Cultural Anthropologists Redefined Humanity," 19 Aug. 2019 Like many Chinese Communist leaders of his era, Mr. Li revealed little of himself, usually reading from turgid official scripts in public. — Chris Buckley, BostonGlobe.com, "Li Peng, Chinese leader derided for role in Tiananmen crackdown, dies at 90," 23 July 2019 After a turgid opening, the game sprang to life in the 13th minute, as Rodrigo Palacio danced his way into the Milan penalty area, before jabbing a tentative shot at goal that was well blocked by Cristián Zapata. — SI.com, "Bologna 1-2 AC Milan: Rossoneri Survive Late Scare From Rossoblu to End Barren Winless Run," 29 Apr. 2018 The stars were misaligned from the start for this frantic, turgid thriller. — Joe Morgenstern, WSJ, "‘The Girl in the Spider’s Web: A New Dragon Tattoo Story’ Review: Blurred Tats," 8 Nov. 2018 After an open start, the game settled into a turgid affair with neither team looking particularly threatening. — SI.com, "Antoine Griezmann Shines as Atletico Madrid Returns to Winning Ways," 11 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'turgid.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about turgid

Dictionary Entries near turgid

turgor movement

Statistics for turgid

Last Updated

18 Jan 2020

Cite this Entry

“Turgid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/turgid. Accessed 28 Feb. 2020.

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

WORD OF THE DAY

coax

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

February 2020 Words of the Day Quiz

Which is a synonym of probity?

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.