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
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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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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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Bangladeshi civil society welcomed rhetorical support for its democracy but was demoralized by Washington’s reluctance to act decisively.—
MUHIB RAHMAN,
Foreign Affairs,
12 Nov. 2025
-
It was founded by Simon Bolívar, who led the region to independence from Spain and remains a key rhetorical figure in Latin American politics, especially in Colombia and Venezuela.—
Alfie Pannell,
Miami Herald,
10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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This version of Ryan was arrogant, unable to conceal pride in his accomplishment.—
Jamie Thompson,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
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So long as that situation continues, the 43-year-old’s allegedly arrogant and stand-offish treatment of his players will not worry the club hierarchy too much.—
Dermot Corrigan,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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There are certainly some top-notch barbecue restaurants that made the cut, but the Michelin selection barely scratches the surface of the South’s long, proud barbecue tradition.—
Robert F. Moss,
Southern Living,
5 Nov. 2025
-
What’s left now is a proud elite program trying to scrape its way into bowl season.—
D’Joumbarey Moreau,
Miami Herald,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Asano starred in Doyle and Ratanaruang’s previous two features, and plays a supporting role here as a pretentious artist who provides the film with much of its comic relief.—
Katie Rife,
IndieWire,
5 Nov. 2025
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Each burger is hand-packed with crisp lettuce, tomato, pickles and just a swipe of mustard — nothing unnecessary, nothing pretentious.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Kempinski Istanbul Housed in an ornate former Ottoman palace on the shores of the Bosphorus Strait, the Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul is the ultimate luxury hotel in Istanbul.—
Katie Nadworny,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Nov. 2025
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Nutcrackercore For those seeking theatrical glamour, Nutcrackercore delivers escapism through ornate decor.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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This cavalier approach masks an earlier struggle.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
3 Nov. 2025
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If Spurs were guilty of being too cavalier during Postecoglou’s time in charge, then this was the total opposite.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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If that’s you, feel free to set aside this review and move on to more high-minded pursuits.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
30 Oct. 2025
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If that sounds like pretty reasonable, even high-minded after all that has preceded it, rest assured that Allen is not quite done with the tough talk yet.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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As a sleazy, lecherous publicist pinned in a Manhattan phone booth by a faceless sniper on the other end of the line, Farrell goes from smug condescension to breathless victimhood pretty effortlessly.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
30 Oct. 2025
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But Minnesota, with or without its unapologetically smug superstar, has been the Nuggets’ kryptonite for more than a year.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
28 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Highfalutin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/highfalutin. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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