1
as in rhetoric
boastful speech or writing
the other world leaders at the international conference had little interest in being subjected to the president's bombast
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in grandiloquence
language that is impressive-sounding but not meaningful or sincere
you need less bombast and more substance in this speech on human rights
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bombast
The Townshend-esque vibe is much stronger on Argent's original version of this song, but Kiss' reinvention is a vast improvement, weeding out the prog-rock bombast while venturing into Mott the Hoople territory.
—
Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 17 Oct. 2025
The president’s bombast and capriciousness have led many European countries to increase their defense spending—a positive outcome, to be sure, and not inherently at odds with the notion of a unified, geopolitical West.
—Stewart Patrick, Foreign Affairs, 18 Sep. 2025
Ciel Dubai Marina This record-breaking approach is emblematic of the intent and sheer bombast with which Dubai is reshaping the travel and tourism market, with a strong focus on foreign investment and wealthy visitors.
—Duncan Madden, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
But recently, the family has taken a decidedly different tack—less Trumpian bombast, and more sober promotion of its crypto businesses.
—Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bombast
Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 17 Oct. 2025
The president’s bombast and capriciousness have led many European countries to increase their defense spending—a positive outcome, to be sure, and not inherently at odds with the notion of a unified, geopolitical West.
—Stewart Patrick, Foreign Affairs, 18 Sep. 2025
Ciel Dubai Marina This record-breaking approach is emblematic of the intent and sheer bombast with which Dubai is reshaping the travel and tourism market, with a strong focus on foreign investment and wealthy visitors.
—Duncan Madden, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
But recently, the family has taken a decidedly different tack—less Trumpian bombast, and more sober promotion of its crypto businesses.
—Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bombast
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bombast
Noun
-
Worthington said the rhetoric by Republicans in Pennsylvania is helpful, but limited in its effectiveness.—
Will McDuffie,
ABC News,
3 Nov. 2025
-
The Iraq War exposed just how hollow our rhetoric of freedom and democracy was.—
Shadi Hamid,
Time,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Much of that singularity was centered in McCarthy’s prose, which ricocheted—sometimes gracefully, sometimes jarringly—between gruff matter-of-factness and soaring, biblical grandiloquence.—
Alex Shephard,
The New Republic,
13 June 2023
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Several of them can fly, and all have at least a touch of grandiloquence to them.—
Michael Nordine,
Variety,
11 Aug. 2022
Noun
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The album is a hot mess of conflicted emotions, empty braggadocio, poor technique, and heartbreaking yet tiresome crying jags.—
Mosi Reeves,
Rolling Stone,
29 Sep. 2025
-
The first singles from Carey’s 16th album are dripping with braggadocio with her inimitable voice wafting like smoke.—
Matthew Schnipper,
Vulture,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Hammy magniloquence risks alienating viewers, not just for an evening but for life, as does obscurity.—
The Economist,
The Economist,
15 Mar. 2018
Noun
-
Typically, the deadlines include increasing levels of bluster, followed by an inevitable agreement, as was the case with Fox and NBC.—
Dan Shanoff,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
-
But the fact is, Duffy has a point, and Musk, for all his online bluster, has the weaker hand.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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There was a distinct set of tales dealing with demons who collected idle chatter in churches, and, over time, these stories were folded into the expanding legend of Tutivillus.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
31 Oct. 2025
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This year, all eyes are on just three contests nationwide—and most of the chatter has centered on Zohran Mamdani’s meteoric mayoral run across the Hudson as a democratic socialist.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bombast.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bombast. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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