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"
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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
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
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
See All Example Sentences for highfalutin
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
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
See All Example Sentences for highfalutin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for highfalutin
Adjective
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Jackson returns as Wes Bryant, a handsome, intelligent, but arrogant man who had just moved to Seattle and was revealed to be a new medical intern at Grey Sloan.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
9 Oct. 2025
-
Jack Cutmore-Scott as Julius Beaufort, an arrogant new money banker at the center of New York society with an interest in Ellen.—
Joe Otterson,
Variety,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The South Ridge Trail (7 miles round-trip) offers a more challenging trek with superior views of Bar Harbor and the Porcupine Islands.—
Jacqueline Kehoe,
AFAR Media,
15 Oct. 2025
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The platform reportedly applies principles borrowed from structural engineering in bridges and skyscrapers and uses a triangular honeycomb structure for superior stability and load distribution.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
However, Ralph has a smug attitude when talking to Brad.—
Lisa Stardust,
PEOPLE,
26 Sep. 2025
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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
Adjective
-
But Chicago and New York are Democratic strongholds and frequent targets of the president’s rhetorical ire, so the moves on spending are plainly perceived as a new front in the shutdown battle.—
Niall Stanage,
The Hill,
5 Oct. 2025
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Every argument has a rational, emotional, and rhetorical component.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
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,
12 Oct. 2025
-
While the jury is out on the exact cause of Harry Potter’s enduring popularity, Beach and Willner highlight an important point in its favor.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
12 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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These four are all very proud of their special status, which involves democratic processes, including members electing the club’s president, approving (or not) annual accounts, and voting on changes to club statutes at assemblies that must be held once a year.—
Dermot Corrigan,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
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The whole purpose of that flag even being created was to have something that Black Americans could be proud of and recognize us as people, as human beings, and as contributors to this country.—
Kyle Denis,
Billboard,
15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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But that doesn’t mean the iconic duo is too pretentious to visit the local pubs from time to time, according to a 2023 Allure interview.—
Michelle Duncan,
Architectural Digest,
9 Oct. 2025
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And though all of Anderson’s artistry and jittery comedic sensibility is present, the director hasn’t created a pretentious version of an action flick; One Battle After Another is the real thing, filled with beautifully shot car chases and shoot-outs.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The opt-out process escalates the company’s cavalier approach to intellectual property rights, potentially setting up a legal battle between Hollywood’s biggest studios and the AI start-up.—
Winston Cho,
HollywoodReporter,
1 Oct. 2025
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However, some developers have gotten cavalier with what constitutes a remake — with Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us series being a prime example.—
George Yang,
Rolling Stone,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Highfalutin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/highfalutin. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
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