1
as in rhetorical
full of fine words and fancy expressions
poets in the 19th century tended to write poetry filled with grandiloquent phrases
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
There was Coppola’s over-the-top defense of his friend with a grandiloquent gesture (Tanen declined to sell).
—
Michael O’Donnell, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2026
Reform—Within Reason Malthus aimed to puncture Godwin’s grandiloquent progressivism.
—Roy Scranton, JSTOR Daily, 18 Sep. 2025
Michael O’Donnell, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2026
Reform—Within Reason Malthus aimed to puncture Godwin’s grandiloquent progressivism.
—Roy Scranton, JSTOR Daily, 18 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grandiloquent
Adjective
-
For Republican Presidents, this has mostly been rhetoric.—
Zach Helfand,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
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While the confrontation remains largely rhetorical for now, the sharp escalation in language, and the competing interests driving it, highlight the fragility of the regional landscape and the limits of Washington’s ability to keep both sides aligned.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
14 Apr. 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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Defined by its metallic hardware, ornate embroidery and often shrunken fit, the jacket added romance and opulence to the season.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
17 Apr. 2026
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The coloring and low profile on this design still feels neutral while adding a little visual interest with the ornate patterning.—
Audrey Lee,
Architectural Digest,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The suit argued that Live Nation's exclusivity contracts, threats to rivals, and leveraging of market domination over artists breached antitrust laws, resulting in inflated prices and stifled competition.—
Kiana Mickles,
Pitchfork,
15 Apr. 2026
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Attendees wearing cowboy hats line danced, petted fluffy white calves and posed for pictures in front of an inflated cactus.—
Seema Mehta,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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But the English-speaking pontiff has risen as an influential American critic living in the Vatican, using his platform on the world stage as a moral contrast to the president's more bombastic rhetoric and aggressive use of executive power.—
Terry Collins,
USA Today,
12 Apr. 2026
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There was a lot of really bombastic language that happened throughout this war.—
Adam Harris,
The Atlantic,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grandiloquent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grandiloquent. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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