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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Adjective
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The rhetorical support from Pritzker has been followed by millions of dollars in financial support from our billionaire governor.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Feb. 2026
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But Dreher has also given plenty of rhetorical support to Trump’s demolition agenda.—
Robert F. Worth,
The Atlantic,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Barack Obama’s administration detained unaccompanied children and families despite humanitarian rhetoric, contradicting Clinton’s assertion that children were not placed in detention camps.—
Fidel Martinez,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
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The report notes despite the political rhetoric, clean energy stocks have outperformed traditional energy by over 45% since early 2025, driven largely by macroeconomic and interest rate trends rather than by partisan politics.—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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State officials are asking lawmakers to craft a bill that would allow the Department of Social Services to limit Medicaid payments for unionized nursing homes whose owners hire family members at inflated salaries.—
Jenna Carlesso,
Hartford Courant,
19 Feb. 2026
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Those inflated costs fall squarely on the shoulders of small businesses and working families through higher premiums and lower take-home pay.—
Bianca Blomquist,
Mercury News,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The bishops further authorized a new edition of the Roman Pontifical for pontifical Masses, expected to be completed by 2027, with Vatican approval pending for some rites, according to the Catholic News Agency.—
Jordan King,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Nov. 2025
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In its report, the pontifical commission highlights failures in the Italian church.—
Christopher Lamb,
CNN Money,
16 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fustian.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fustian. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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