as in rhetoric
marked by the use of impressive-sounding but mostly meaningless words and phrases
a bombastic speech intended to impress the voters in her congressional district
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Recent Examples of bombastic
There was backlash from some corners: critics who resented all the hype Springsteen had received and who thought the music bombastic.
—
Louis P. Masur, The Conversation, 21 Aug. 2025
The network retracted some of the more bombastic allegations in December 2020.
—Nicholas Riccardi, Fortune, 18 Aug. 2025
From the podium, Guerrero allayed the overture’s bombastic writing with a buoyant, supple spirit.
—Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2025
Coined by lead vocalist, Catalina García, the upbeat and feel-good song blends a Colombian guaracha beat with bombastic instruments like the trombone, tuba and accordion.
—Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for bombastic
Louis P. Masur, The Conversation, 21 Aug. 2025
The network retracted some of the more bombastic allegations in December 2020.
—Nicholas Riccardi, Fortune, 18 Aug. 2025
From the podium, Guerrero allayed the overture’s bombastic writing with a buoyant, supple spirit.
—Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2025
Coined by lead vocalist, Catalina García, the upbeat and feel-good song blends a Colombian guaracha beat with bombastic instruments like the trombone, tuba and accordion.
—Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for bombastic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bombastic
rhetorical
Adjective
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Whether these rhetorical jabs will resonate with voters or simply serve to inflame partisan divisions remains an open question.—
Jordan King,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Aug. 2025
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Just asking questions Kennedy and other MAHA proponents also employ another powerful rhetorical tactic: raising questions about topics that have already reached a scientific consensus.—
Megan Donelson,
The Conversation,
25 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bombastic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bombastic. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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