variants
also hifalutin
1
as in rhetoric
full of fine words and fancy expressions
his highfalutin paean to the working class failed to win over a crowd that wanted to hear down-to-earth proposals for economic relief
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in arrogant
having a feeling of superiority that shows itself in an overbearing attitude
her highfalutin relatives from New York made the snide remark that her little house "has that lived-in look"
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in superior
having or displaying feelings of scorn for what is regarded as beneath oneself
refused to be intimidated by the highfalutin manner of the sales staff in the fashionable boutique
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in smug
self-consciously trying to present an appearance of grandeur or importance
"fine Southern cuisine" sounds a bit highfalutin for a barbecue shack
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of highfalutin
Gaddis is not afraid of braiding in highfalutin references, and his humor is both very patrician and cultured as well as loose and street.
—
The New Yorker, New Yorker, 16 July 2025
Then there’s Grady (Topher Grace), the highfalutin sociopath who was supplying the drugs the Buckleys were hauling.
—Hunter Ingram, Variety, 20 June 2025
The dialogue is overly ornate, with long monologues filled with highfalutin references, and there’s no distinct characterization: A Bronx pawnbroker talks the same as a Manhattan equities trader.
—Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 11 Apr. 2025
Its story clearly spoke to the widest swath of voters, even if many pundits predicted that the tonier, more highfalutin adult drama Conclave would emerge as a consensus winner.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for highfalutin
The New Yorker, New Yorker, 16 July 2025
Then there’s Grady (Topher Grace), the highfalutin sociopath who was supplying the drugs the Buckleys were hauling.
—Hunter Ingram, Variety, 20 June 2025
The dialogue is overly ornate, with long monologues filled with highfalutin references, and there’s no distinct characterization: A Bronx pawnbroker talks the same as a Manhattan equities trader.
—Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 11 Apr. 2025
Its story clearly spoke to the widest swath of voters, even if many pundits predicted that the tonier, more highfalutin adult drama Conclave would emerge as a consensus winner.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for highfalutin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for highfalutin
Adjective
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These early years emphasized goofiness, offensiveness, and mocking arrogant celebrities who pushed their platforms at award shows.—
Chris Yogerst,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Aug. 2025
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The announcement was made during a backstage segment involving NXT General Manager Ava and the arrogant superstar Lexis King.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The rest of the parts are the same, so that’s a big upcharge for a superior GPU and double the storage—though the RTX 5080 does offer a noticeable gaming-performance boost.—
Matthew Buzzi,
PC Magazine,
3 Sep. 2025
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Daskalakis was disturbed by Kennedy’s comments that chickens that survive H5N1 bird flu are genetically superior and that the stronger children who get measles will survive.—
Judy Stone,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Howard sells his smug malice, digging into Matt in a way no one has before until the whole thing devolves into a physical fight.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
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In fact, Martineau’s sign angered plenty of Democrats, some of whom were already worried that smug liberal activists are harming the party.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
25 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Whether these rhetorical jabs will resonate with voters or simply serve to inflame partisan divisions remains an open question.—
Jordan King,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Aug. 2025
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Just asking questions Kennedy and other MAHA proponents also employ another powerful rhetorical tactic: raising questions about topics that have already reached a scientific consensus.—
Megan Donelson,
The Conversation,
25 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Tire tread depth - Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
7 Sep. 2025
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And that became a very important part of the character.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Erica Mosca is a proud first-generation college graduate who is a former teacher, former nonprofit founder and executive director, and small business owner who is the first Filipina to serve in the Nevada State Legislature representing District 14.—
Erica Mosca,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
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The academy noted that Greene was proud to have played roles that weren't related to his background.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
EW.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Kerouac’s pretentious hitchhiker’s guide lacked the panache, humor, and focus of this one by Douglas Adams.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
8 Sep. 2025
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Swift making herself into a tortured poet trying to outdo a pretentious, typewriter-wielding ex.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The Sylvias have expressed some reservations about how cavalier Boy Kavalier has been toward the hybrids’ mental and physical health.—
Noel Murray,
Vulture,
27 Aug. 2025
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Other breeds on the list include Tibetan mastiff, spinone Italiano, cavalier king Charles spniel, Chinese crested, and dogue de Bordeaux, among the most popular.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Highfalutin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/highfalutin. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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