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
-
The anti-American side focuses exclusively on the tragedies, usually makes slavery the chief argument for the prosecution, and dismisses the triumphs as hypocritical rhetoric.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Karbler hopes the rhetoric begins to diminish.—
Jake Kring-Schreifels,
Time,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
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 Townshend-esque vibe is much stronger on Argent's original version of this song, but Kiss' reinvention is a vast improvement, weeding out the prog-rock bombast while venturing into Mott the Hoople territory.—
Ed Masley,
AZCentral.com,
17 Oct. 2025
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Those blockbusters happen to an audience, flattening them with a bombast their living rooms can’t replicate.—
Robert Rubsam,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The album is a hot mess of conflicted emotions, empty braggadocio, poor technique, and heartbreaking yet tiresome crying jags.—
Mosi Reeves,
Rolling Stone,
29 Sep. 2025
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The first singles from Carey’s 16th album are dripping with braggadocio with her inimitable voice wafting like smoke.—
Matthew Schnipper,
Vulture,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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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
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While the sale hasn’t started just yet, there are tons of early Amazon Prime Day toy deals to get your holiday shopping started or snag a brag-worthy deal on a birthday gift.—
Anja Webb,
Parents,
24 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Grandiloquence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grandiloquence. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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