grandiloquence

noun

gran-ˈdi-lə-kwən(t)s How to pronounce grandiloquence (audio)
Definition of grandiloquencenext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grandiloquence
  1. rhetoric
  2. magniloquence
  3. bombast
  4. braggadocio
  5. brag
Noun
  • Now, the rhetoric has expanded beyond the candidates themselves, pulling Scholten — who is not running for governor — into the political crossfire.
    — Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 21 July 2026
  • In other words, Lander did not feel the need to appease the Zionist mob by softening his rhetoric.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 July 2026
Definition of rhetoric
Noun
  • Hammy magniloquence risks alienating viewers, not just for an evening but for life, as does obscurity.
    — The Economist, The Economist, 15 Mar. 2018
Definition of magniloquence
Noun
  • The screen is big, the image is sharp and bright, but Nolan’s visual compositions are dull—just pictures of actors acting, without style or poetry—and his fetish for size is just bombast and vanity.
    — Caroline Mimbs Nyce, New Yorker, 17 July 2026
  • An album inspired by American Gangster, Ridley Scott’s biopic of legendary Harlem drug lord Frank Lucas, gave Jay-Z a chance to step away from the superstar bombast of Kingdom Come and go back to Reasonable Doubt-style dope game tales.
    — Al Shipley, SPIN, 14 July 2026
Definition of bombast
Noun
  • With every passing game, Marsch’s braggadocio attracted largely negative headlines around the world.
    — Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 7 July 2026
  • In person, Huang subdues his ironic braggadocio with polite eye contact and rolling belly laughs at his own jokes.
    — Mariella Rudi, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
Definition of braggadocio
Noun
  • But not even Footer’s thorough sleuthing has unearthed much more than Bradley’s brag.
    — Brian Seibert, New Yorker, 13 May 2026
  • Humble brag; That turned out to be a stroke of genius on my part.
    — Marc Silver, NPR, 19 Apr. 2026
Definition of brag

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Cite this Entry

“Grandiloquence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grandiloquence. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

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