FUSTIAN Synonyms: 74 Similar and Opposite Words

fustian 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of fustian

as in rhetorical

marked by the use of impressive-sounding but mostly meaningless words and phrases one of those fustian odes to patriotic duty that were so beloved by school teachers

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fustian

2 of 2

noun

ˈfəs-chən

as in rhetoric

language that is impressive-sounding but not meaningful or sincere a speech awash in old-fashioned fustian and bereft of all substance

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fustian

Adjective

The filing also says the lawsuit against Alvarez targets political opinions and rhetorical statements that are protected by the First Amendment.

— Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2026
Research links rhetorical tactics to perceptions of charisma.

— Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of rhetorical

Noun

The ad led Democratic and Republican House leadership to condemn the antisemitic rhetoric targeting Fine.

— Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 18 Aug. 2026
Republicans who claim that democratic socialists are like communists are either misinformed or deliberately using misleading rhetoric for political advantage.

— Tom Zirpoli, Baltimore Sun, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of rhetoric

Adjective

But Puck’s inflated branding has, over time, come to look almost prophetic.

— Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 19 Aug. 2026
Instead of negotiating discounts off hospitals’ inflated list prices, Montana’s health plan started paying percentages of what Medicare paid for all services.

— Bob Herman, STAT, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of inflated

Adjective

Leo opened his visit to Pompeii by meeting with sick and disabled people who are cared for by a charity center affiliated with the sanctuary, which Leo’s namesake, Pope Leo XIII, declared a pontifical basilica in 1901.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 May 2026
That public spat has overshadowed his pontifical tour of four African countries, which ended Thursday with a Mass for thousands of people in Malabo, the former capital of Equatorial Guinea.

— Claudio Lavanga, NBC news, 23 Apr. 2026

Definition of pontifical

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fussy

fustian

fustigate

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“Fustian.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fustian. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of fustian

adjective

noun

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