1
as in rhetorical
full of fine words and fancy expressions
poets in the 19th century tended to write poetry filled with grandiloquent phrases
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in pontifical
marked by the use of impressive-sounding but mostly meaningless words and phrases
at Independence Day celebrations grandiloquent speeches by local politicians are as traditional as fireworks
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Recent Examples of grandiloquent
Reform—Within Reason Malthus aimed to puncture Godwin’s grandiloquent progressivism.
—
Roy Scranton, JSTOR Daily, 18 Sep. 2025
Roy Scranton, JSTOR Daily, 18 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grandiloquent
Adjective
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Chancellor Friedrich Merz in recent months has enjoyed a series of successes, both rhetorical and diplomatic, that deserve more attention and praise than has to date been received.—
Arthur I. Cyr,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Feb. 2026
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These are not rhetorical musings.—
Jerry Brewer,
New York Times,
3 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
Adjective
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Companies quietly avoid conflict while seeking favor with ornate gifts, large donations to the president’s pet projects and strategic deployments of CEOs to the Oval Office.—
Nathaniel Meyersohn,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
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Carved-wood dragons watch from palazzo eaves, and an ornate wrought-iron cage encases double bells atop the city hall’s clock tower.—
Adam Erace,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Whereas Apollo space suits were akin to wearing an inflated balloon that greatly hindered motion, the AxEMU is designed with flexible joints that give astronauts mobility to kneel, jog or even do the splits.—
K. R. Callaway,
Scientific American,
5 Feb. 2026
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Haber said in these contracts, Coto agreed to pay inflated prices for services for the building, including cleaning, security and maintenance.—
Catherine Odom
February 5,
Miami Herald,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Crosby has always been quiet and composed, while Ovechkin barreled into the league all bombastic and boyish.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
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His singing voice is an astonishing instrument, recalling David Bowie’s theatrics and Roy Orbison’s bombastic vocal style.—
Millan Verma,
Pitchfork,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grandiloquent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grandiloquent. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
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