as in supercilious
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as in preaching
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as in ranting
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.
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Recent Examples of pontificating
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Jan. 2026
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
31 Aug. 2025
Pamela Chelin,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Mar. 2026
In the 1960s, Canadians hungered for public intellectuals pontificating on the distinctiveness of their identity.
—
Dónal Gill,
The Dial,
28 Oct. 2025
Rather than the writer pontificating about how Pfleger needs to retire from active priesthood, how about a better use of his time by advocating the notion that pedophile priests should be retired to jail.
—
Chicago Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Oscar speeches can feel pontificating and pointless, a shout into the echo chamber.
—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
If all that is a little too cerebral, viewers can wait out the pontificating until the next performance comes along.
—
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
31 Aug. 2025
Verb
Known as the Dragon Slayer, he’s often shown meditating, praying, waxing philosophical, and pontificating on nobility, integrity and honor.
—
Pamela Chelin,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Mar. 2026
In the 1960s, Canadians hungered for public intellectuals pontificating on the distinctiveness of their identity.
—
Dónal Gill,
The Dial,
28 Oct. 2025
Rather than the writer pontificating about how Pfleger needs to retire from active priesthood, how about a better use of his time by advocating the notion that pedophile priests should be retired to jail.
—
Chicago Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pontificating
Adjective
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This Cannes Directors’ Fortnight prizewinner sets out its pitch-black-comic stall early with a prologue in which, after a brief contretemps, local man Raoul Brun (Jean-Louis Coulloc’h) blows his supercilious neighbor’s head off with a shotgun and then disappears.
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After appearing as supercilious EPA company man Walter Peck in Ghostbusters, Atherton completed his trilogy of goofy comedies with Real Genius (1985) and Bio-Dome (1996).
Noun
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Indeed, this period marked the beginning of Copeland’s lifelong emphasis on prosperity theology, which would become central to his preaching and ministry.
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Watch for intense preaching or over-defending beliefs.
Verb
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Trump continued ranting as Welker tried to fit in more questions about the weaponization fund, but the president said he was done with the interview, thanking Welker for the time and wishing her a good day before walking away.
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Santat’s illustrations begin with straightforward, muted sincerity and become brighter, busier, and more gleeful—filling every corner of the page—as Sharpson’s narrator becomes ever more unhinged, ranting about fish spies, fish disguises, and fish taking over the world.
Adjective
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This magisterial polemic demonstrates how what may appear to be distant American history remains acutely relevant.
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But the magisterial opera composer Franz Schreker was shattered by the events of 1933 and died of a stroke the following year.
Noun
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Easy moralizing would be wrong, but moral indifference might be impossible.
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Critically, the moralizing over climate change is gone.
Verb
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And, all of my American friends, the ones who had never asked me anything about my life in Iran, were raving about Persepolis!
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Lagree is everywhere on social media right now, with celebrities and trainers raving about the burn from a machine called the Megaformer.
Adjective
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Leo opened his visit to Pompeii by meeting with sick and disabled people who are cared for by a charity center affiliated with the sanctuary, which Leo’s namesake, Pope Leo XIII, declared a pontifical basilica in 1901.
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That public spat has overshadowed his pontifical tour of four African countries, which ended Thursday with a Mass for thousands of people in Malabo, the former capital of Equatorial Guinea.
Noun
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In January 2025, a federal judge ruled that portion of the ordinance overburdens free speech rights by prohibiting anyone from providing any lecture in any San Diego public park or beach.
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And now today, Indiana head coach Stephanie White opens up her presser with a lecture on how America is racist and homophobic.
Cite this Entry
“Pontificating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pontificating. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
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