Synonyms of purple

purple

adjective

ˈpər-pəl 

as in rhetorical

full of fine words and fancy expressions

an overwritten novel with far too many purple patches

Synonyms & Similar Words

• rhetorical
• ornate
• flowery
• florid
• aureate
• eloquent
• grandiloquent
• high-sounding
• excessive
• magnific
• highfalutin
• high-flown
• inflated
• affected
• boastful
• bloated
• grandiose
• pretentious
• flattering
• bombastic
• pompous
• stilted
• fancy-pants
• fulsome
• bookish
• learned
• lofty
• elevated
• inkhorn

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• plain
• prosaic
• bald
• direct
• simple
• lean
• spare
• stark
• unadorned
• natural
• matter-of-fact
• unpoetic
• straightforward
• unaffected
• unpretentious
• plainspoken

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of purple

The 17th, which encompasses all of Rockland and Putnam counties, most of the northern part of Westchester County, and portions of southern Dutchess County, is considered a purple district and up for grabs. — Dick Brennan, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026

Inspired by Parton’s iconic flashy feminine style, Musgraves wore a formfitting hot-pink sparkly dress with feather trimming, silver hoop earrings, and purple eye shadow. — Isabella Albaig, Vulture, 28 Sep. 2026

One Moments entry showed me a summary of my past week, describing a pretty uneventful time with downright purple prose. — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 28 Sep. 2026

Before long, the guitars were blasting away while purple confetti fell. — Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 26 Sep. 2026