as in rhetoric
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in grandiloquence
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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Recent Examples of fustian
Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 6 June 2023
Noun
Freed of the architectural fustian of the Frick’s Gilded Age home, the art breathes anew, each painting in its own world rather than entwined with others as part of a decorative ensemble.
—Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 6 June 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fustian
Noun
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However, some of Poilievre's rhetoric has been viewed by Canadians as Trump-esque, such as his embrace of populist sentiments and calling opponents by nicknames, experts have said.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
28 Apr. 2025
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The Conclave actor joined the cast as Albus Dumbledore despite anti-trans rhetoric from author J.K. Rowling, who is an executive producer on the show.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Public media, because of the taxpayer subsidy, hits a rhetorical sweet spot for the president.—
David Folkenflik,
NPR,
29 Apr. 2025
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The 2024 Presidential campaign itself involved deafening, five-alarm rhetorical fires.—
Jill Lepore,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fustian.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fustian. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
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