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
Relevance
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of highfalutin
There was nothing highfalutin or fake about her.
—
Charles Bethea, The New Yorker, 15 Jan. 2025
In the highfalutin world of fine art, labels matter.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
This sounds so highfalutin, but whatever.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 7 Jan. 2025
Newsom, for all his highfalutin rhetoric about championing all Californians, just can’t quit the gentry and the insiders who have made his career.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for highfalutin
Charles Bethea, The New Yorker, 15 Jan. 2025
In the highfalutin world of fine art, labels matter.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
This sounds so highfalutin, but whatever.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 7 Jan. 2025
Newsom, for all his highfalutin rhetoric about championing all Californians, just can’t quit the gentry and the insiders who have made his career.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for highfalutin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for highfalutin
Adjective
-
As the day goes on, Jim goes from a caricature of an arrogant male director to an oddly compelling picture of a pathetic man, moved by spite toward his ex-wife, Anita.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
10 July 2025
-
Actor Tyler Hilton played Chris Keller, a charming but arrogant musician, on four seasons of the teen soap.—
Bryan West,
The Tennessean,
2 July 2025
Adjective
-
Known and adored for their cushiony insoles and superior arch support, this footwear brand is a top pick for avid walkers, folks with chronic foot pain, and even podiatrists (after all, the founder, Dr. William Mathias Scholl, was one himself).—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
12 July 2025
-
The idea that no one was born inherently superior, that status wasn’t tied to birth but to citizenship and shared rights, was a radical break in human history and a decisive rejection of Old World European ideology.—
Jared Nordlund,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 July 2025
Adjective
-
For those still on Windows 10 who might be feeling rather smug at avoiding these Windows 11 issues, Windows Latest has just issued a new warning, given that its own recent updates are not faring any better.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
18 July 2025
-
His reboot has the benefit of an actor, David Corenswet, who may not have a lot of colors to work with, but whose presence is infinitely easier to take and less of a huge pile of smug than Henry Cavill’s Man of Steel.—
Michael Phillips,
Chicago Tribune,
9 July 2025
Adjective
-
Under the Biden administration, for instance, material and rhetorical support for LGBTQ groups abroad was a prominent element of American diplomacy.—
Ari Shaw,
Foreign Affairs,
17 July 2025
-
These sections weren’t just rhetorical flourishes from Murasaki.—
Andrew Paul Jul 16,
Popular Science,
16 July 2025
Adjective
-
Another important preventative measure athletes can take is preparing for life after sport.—
Brook Choulet,
Forbes.com,
16 July 2025
-
On the flip-side, the World Health Organization cites traffic noise such as road, rail and air traffic as the second most important cause of ill health in western Europe behind air pollution.—
Daisy Jones,
Vogue,
15 July 2025
Adjective
-
Old Fitzgerald, the once proud brand with a century-long legacy, was tossed into the Bernheim sale like an extra trading card between kids to sweeten the deal, not to headline it.—
Chris Perugini,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
-
In the post, the proud single mom shared throwback photos of her with her eldest son and daughter.—
Kayla Grant,
People.com,
14 July 2025
Adjective
-
Even when Season Three felt meandering or pretentious, the vibe set by the music and the production design never faltered.—
Alan Sepinwall,
Rolling Stone,
26 June 2025
-
My book recommendations are uncommon, but not pretentious.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2025
Adjective
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The husband’s cavalier response is also something that needs to be addressed in therapy.—
Eric Thomas,
Sun Sentinel,
17 May 2025
-
Basset hounds and cavalier King Charles spaniels are a great match for a more chilled lifestyle, according to Smith.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Highfalutin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/highfalutin. Accessed 26 Jul. 2025.
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