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
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of bombast
That’s not just because Miller’s presence rings bittersweet given the actor’s real life struggles and controversies today, but also because this relatively modest affair lacks most of Levinson’s aesthetic and bombast.
—
Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 10 Apr. 2026
Beirut — Strip away the bombast and superlatives.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2026
For all their bombast, the ICE and Border Patrol agents seemed to work no harder than any other faceless federal bureaucrats.
—Daniel Brook, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
In a city where architectural bombast has often been favored over architectural quality, the White House has stood apart for its grace and modesty.
—Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bombast
Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 10 Apr. 2026
Beirut — Strip away the bombast and superlatives.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2026
For all their bombast, the ICE and Border Patrol agents seemed to work no harder than any other faceless federal bureaucrats.
—Daniel Brook, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
In a city where architectural bombast has often been favored over architectural quality, the White House has stood apart for its grace and modesty.
—Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bombast
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bombast
Noun
-
And Bianco’s rhetoric about forcing changes in state law enforcement — especially on immigration — without the cooperation of Democratic supermajorities in the Legislature is authoritarian nonsense.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 May 2026
-
In Starmer’s first year in office, his team sought to head off Reform’s surge by appealing to right-wing voters with tougher rhetoric and policies on immigration.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
8 May 2026
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
-
Several of them can fly, and all have at least a touch of grandiloquence to them.—
Michael Nordine,
Variety,
11 Aug. 2022
Noun
-
This is another stride of lyricism, philosophy, I’m-the-best braggadocio, bravado.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2026
-
But for everything Gates said that might appeal to a frustrated Democrat like me, his Huntington Beach braggadocio continually won out.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Hammy magniloquence risks alienating viewers, not just for an evening but for life, as does obscurity.—
The Economist,
The Economist,
15 Mar. 2018
Noun
-
For all of its bluster about Trainium and Graviton, Amazon is buying one million chips by the end of 2027.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
3 May 2026
-
In addition to Molyneux’s usual game design bluster, though, was a newfound enthusiasm for the idea of making money from simply playing a game.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The chatter among party elites appears at odds with recent polling in Harris’ favor, including in April’s Harvard Center for American Political Studies/Harris Poll, which showed Harris leading the Democratic field with support from 50% of Democrats.—
Justine McDaniel,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2026
-
Student chatter on social media fluctuated between some commenters upset that their tests or assignments would be canceled and others planning beach days in light of the system being down.—
Caleb Lunetta,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bombast.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bombast. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
