as in rants
disapproving
to speak or express your opinion about something in a way that shows that you think you are always right
We had to listen to her pontificate about the best way to raise children.
Related Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of pontificates
Indeed, the Abbé pontificates on pretty much every topic known to man as the pair try in vain to tunnel their way to freedom.
—
Jon O'Brien, IndieWire, 19 Mar. 2026
That’s especially true for one of its two main narrators, Verity, an aging franchise movie star who acts, thinks, and pontificates like an adolescent.
—Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 10 Dec. 2025
Jon O'Brien, IndieWire, 19 Mar. 2026
That’s especially true for one of its two main narrators, Verity, an aging franchise movie star who acts, thinks, and pontificates like an adolescent.
—Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 10 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pontificates
Verb
-
And his ultimate war is with Bob, a tech CEO who rants about his haters and has gotten rich off rebranded snake oil and whose obvious corruption has been obscured by his self-mythologizing.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
29 Aug. 2025
-
One grumbles when the driver rants about development’s ravages.—
Mark Ellwood,
Robb Report,
10 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
For the look, Lexi Westergard of Lexi Westergard Design raves about Rojo Marron by Sherwin-Williams.—
Rachel Silva,
Martha Stewart,
15 May 2026
-
Leipold raves about Amachree’s work ethic and ability to pick up KU’s playbook.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Woody Harrelson declaims every line, upping the relentless factor of Phil’s mania.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pontificates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pontificates. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
