variants
also hifalutin
1
as in rhetorical
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"
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in proud
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 pretentious
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
The resulting public mockery has forced the company to make sweaty apologies while standing by its highfalutin claims about the bot’s capabilities.
—
Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2025
But the audit is a reminder that state agencies rarely live up to their highfalutin promises.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 27 July 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for highfalutin
Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2025
But the audit is a reminder that state agencies rarely live up to their highfalutin promises.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 27 July 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for highfalutin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for highfalutin
Adjective
-
The Four Freedoms Roosevelt named were not rhetorical ornaments offered as inspiration so much as a diagnosis.—
Philip Martin,
Washington Post,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Most Venezuelans who are smart recognize that this is a rhetorical device.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
5 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
In the early years of his fame as a writer, Rushdie had something of a reputation for being prickly and arrogant, but Gibney’s portrait reveals a man mellowed by time and experience.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
25 Jan. 2026
-
Spock is this brilliant, arrogant, aloof-to-the-point-of-obnoxiousness genius.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
18 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
But the reaction is just as vast, and even more persistent, Angela was proud to tell me about Moon Palace’s place as a node in a larger community network.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Now 32, the Canadian is the proud owner of 25 X Games medals, including 14 gold total and eight in the slopestyle discipline.—
Michelle Bruton,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Elevated with an ever-evolving menu of dishes in a non-pretentious yet upscale environment, Forty 1 is led by Chef Lindsey Dale who is no stranger to fresh, local ingredients, and who also works closely with local purveyors.—
David Duran,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Jan. 2026
-
In Tim Burton’s breakthrough film, O’Hara played tragically hip Delia Deetz, the pretentious and self-absorbed stepmother of Winona Ryder’s Lydia.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The vaulted lobby, dressed up in jewel tones, ornate wall panels, and mixed materials, sets the tone for the rest of your visit.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Sophie’s wonderment at the ornate environment catches Benedict’s attention.—
Olivia Singh,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
His characters make cavalier deals with the proverbial devil, even as the costs become harder to ignore.—
Virgie Tovar,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
-
The result feels like a cavalier stunt—an audio-documentary shrine erected on a wobbly visual-narrative foundation.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
14 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Was the thinking behind the decision so high-minded, though, back in 1890?—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Their goals are high-minded (protecting the environment, improving workplace conditions, breaking up powerful interests, helping the poor), but their tools always involve taxation, regulation and government power.—
Steven Greenhut,
Oc Register,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
But that poem is no smug cliché.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Marcello is looking especially smug and evil in this scene for reasons unclear.—
Jessica M. Goldstein,
Vulture,
19 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Highfalutin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/highfalutin. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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