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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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"
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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Zane played the arrogant Cal Hockley, who was engaged to Jack's love interest, Rose (played by Kate Winslet).—
Virginia Chamlee,
People.com,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Hardly seems like enough to cow these arrogant companies into behaving, especially when their business model is so intrinsically tied to hoovering up other people’s information and creative work.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Rocket is far superior in terms of availability, though, with loans and some form of online closing available in all 50 states.—
Kelsey Neubauer,
CNBC,
18 Sep. 2025
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The laptop's standard 1600p screen is its standout feature, displaying superior detail and sharpness to the full HD panels often found in this price bracket.—
Charles Jefferies,
PC Magazine,
18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Colum’s smug assurance that the wedding will happen soon is rocked when Ned shows up with news of the Grants’ suspicions about the raid.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
12 Sep. 2025
-
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
Adjective
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Two days after the assassination of Charlie Kirk, a rhetorical gap between Arizona politicos highlighted a major split for the congressional delegation, with some members turning to other matters or saying nothing at all.—
Ronald J. Hansen,
AZCentral.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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Prime Minister Keir Starmer has taken an increasingly hard rhetorical line on immigration.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
30 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The plants captured more carbon without drawing more water, an important factor for real-world applications.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Sep. 2025
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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.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Hilaria Baldwin and Gleb Savchenko showed off their Cha Cha skills loud and proud tonight!—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
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The best people aren’t too proud to prove themselves on the ground.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Their pretentious vocabulary is what’s keeping progressives from connecting with everyday Americans, according to a memo prepared by a left-leaning think tank and aimed at helping Democrats regain their common touch.—
Nolan Finley,
Twin Cities,
11 Sep. 2025
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For him, the only way to tell those stories without being pretentious is to wrap them in insanity.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
8 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 18 Sep. 2025.
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