1
as in rhetoric
boastful speech or writing
a heavyweight champion who was famous for his entertaining grandiloquence prior to every match
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2
as in bombast
language that is impressive-sounding but not meaningful or sincere
the predictably wearisome grandiloquence of the speeches at a political convention
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Recent Examples of grandiloquence
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
Rylance plays him with chest puffed out into grandiloquence, the painful shuffle of a man with no unbroken bones, and the periodic grace of a pixie.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 14 June 2022
At least some of the grandiloquence proved justified.
—Idrees Kahloon, The New Yorker, 16 May 2022
Many times, vision statements end up being washed up by grandiloquence.
—Nacho De Marco, Forbes, 26 Jan. 2022
There will be plenty more rhetoric, pomposity and grandiloquence in the next few weeks as negotiations between the union and MLB get hot and heavy.
—Bob Nightengale, USA TODAY, 13 May 2020
Behind the grandiloquence of his note was a young man, alone, under extraordinary stress.
—Barton Gellman, Washington Post, 11 May 2020
His most recent high-profile job, foreign secretary, found him ill at ease in a role that required more gravitas than grandiloquence.
—Benjamin Mueller, New York Times, 22 July 2019
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
Rylance plays him with chest puffed out into grandiloquence, the painful shuffle of a man with no unbroken bones, and the periodic grace of a pixie.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 14 June 2022
At least some of the grandiloquence proved justified.
—Idrees Kahloon, The New Yorker, 16 May 2022
Many times, vision statements end up being washed up by grandiloquence.
—Nacho De Marco, Forbes, 26 Jan. 2022
There will be plenty more rhetoric, pomposity and grandiloquence in the next few weeks as negotiations between the union and MLB get hot and heavy.
—Bob Nightengale, USA TODAY, 13 May 2020
Behind the grandiloquence of his note was a young man, alone, under extraordinary stress.
—Barton Gellman, Washington Post, 11 May 2020
His most recent high-profile job, foreign secretary, found him ill at ease in a role that required more gravitas than grandiloquence.
—Benjamin Mueller, New York Times, 22 July 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grandiloquence
Noun
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As Sweden’s canon debate attests, such rhetoric remains part of the global right-wing playbook.—
Colton Valentine,
New Yorker,
24 Jan. 2026
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But his other harsh rhetoric in relation to the Arctic territory and NATO allies is still reverberating across the alliance.—
Lauren Kent,
CNN Money,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Hammy magniloquence risks alienating viewers, not just for an evening but for life, as does obscurity.—
The Economist,
The Economist,
15 Mar. 2018
Noun
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The 42-year-old Pacific Palisades native attributes his many lives to having an unparalleled amount of energy, a strain of inner bombast that could be likened to strobes of light and patterns behind closed eyelids.—
Rachel Brodsky,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Jan. 2026
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Returning composer Johannes Ringen’s big orchestral score provides the kind of bombast that might as easily suit any multiplex-ready popcorn epic.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
11 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Timmy’s Marty promotional tour was loud and brash — viral Zoom videos, Soulja Boy routines in Brazil, standing atop the Sphere in Las Vegas — and had a lot of people wondering if his decision to adopt a Marty Mauser-style braggadocio would ultimately hurt his chances to win over Oscar voters.—
Vulture Editors,
Vulture,
12 Jan. 2026
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But the tonal change from braggadocio to lionization is notable, Reisman slipping at times into the giddiness of a die-hard fan meeting their idols.—
Julien Levy,
Rolling Stone,
27 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Important to remember Epstein was known brag about his associations with wealthy and powerful people.—
Julie K. Brown,
Miami Herald,
18 Dec. 2025
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The entertainment industry is no stranger to individuals who espouse contested stories about screen hits, but the producers of Legacy of Lies have grown tired of his brags.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Grandiloquence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grandiloquence. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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