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"
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 rhetorical support from Pritzker has been followed by millions of dollars in financial support from our billionaire governor.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Feb. 2026
-
But Dreher has also given plenty of rhetorical support to Trump’s demolition agenda.—
Robert F. Worth,
The Atlantic,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
And ironically, the most arrogant ones are the worst ones.—
Outside Online,
Outside Online,
11 Feb. 2026
-
But there’s a throughline in Smith’s most popular works — he’s been cast repeatedly as a villain, and usually an arrogant or smug one.—
Sophia Solano,
Washington Post,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Trained as an attorney, Levine is very proud of his accomplishments, launching his FM station when FM was not doing well.—
Richard Wagoner,
Daily News,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Nutrition is key to our overall health, and farmers are proud to grow and raise a diverse range of crops and protein for consumers to enjoy.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
But Newsom’s shadow diplomacy, widely seen as a pretentious distraction during the Biden years, has a different look at a moment of nativism and trade conflict in Washington.—
Nathan Heller,
New Yorker,
1 Feb. 2026
-
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
Adjective
-
No rote midcentury-modern furniture here, nor the ornate colonial opulence that seems to be a default in many of Peru's more traditional five-stars.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Feb. 2026
-
This includes the black-and-white Courtly Check, pale-pink Rosy Check, ornate Butterfly Toile, springtime-evoking Wildflowers, and Butterfly Hill.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Students are cavalier about turning AI writing in to me.—
Deni Ellis Béchard,
Scientific American,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Nikola Jokic was cavalier with the ball, and the Cavaliers took advantage.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The opera offers a look at how the Civil War ended with high-minded statesmanship.—
Classical Music Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Was the thinking behind the decision so high-minded, though, back in 1890?—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Meanwhile, a young Denholm Elliott makes for a delightfully smug Edgar Linton, and the underrated Angela Thornton brings to Isabella Linton a welcome sensuality.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Dealing with prying relatives or well-meaning (or not-so-well-meaning) smug married friends?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Highfalutin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/highfalutin. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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