polysyllabic
adjective
poly·syl·lab·ic
ˌpä-lē-sə-ˈla-bik 
1
: having more than one and usually more than three syllables
2
: characterized by words of many syllables
Examples of polysyllabic in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
One distinctive feature of all Sino-Tibetan languages is that most words consist of a single syllable, like English it or book; long, polysyllabic words are unthinkable.
—
Jared Diamond, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019
The polysyllabic antiracist talk keeps proliferating.
—Rodney Stevens, WSJ, 13 Jan. 2023
Seated in front of a screen, I am instructed to pronounce a series of very obscure, polysyllabic words.
—Jeff Wheelwright, Discover Magazine, 3 Jan. 2019
Gilbert, for instance, enjoyed sending up the polysyllabic pomposity of the English oratory of his day.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 23 May 2022
Translated into clear and simple English, our polysyllabic poem turned out to be Row, row, row your boat ...
—Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Oct. 2021
Variants, mandates, quarantines and requirements -- who knew 2021 would be so polysyllabic?
—Maureen O'Hare, CNN, 21 Aug. 2021
Her cousin Berg takes pleasure in spouting polysyllabic, pedantic words that belie his hulking form.
—oregonlive, 11 Feb. 2020
In his pursuit to become prime minister, Mr. Johnson has adapted his old habits — the theatrics, the polysyllabic put-downs, the outlandish plans — for the Brexit era.
—Benjamin Mueller, New York Times, 22 July 2019
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Jared Diamond, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019
The polysyllabic antiracist talk keeps proliferating.
—Rodney Stevens, WSJ, 13 Jan. 2023
Seated in front of a screen, I am instructed to pronounce a series of very obscure, polysyllabic words.
—Jeff Wheelwright, Discover Magazine, 3 Jan. 2019
Gilbert, for instance, enjoyed sending up the polysyllabic pomposity of the English oratory of his day.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 23 May 2022
Translated into clear and simple English, our polysyllabic poem turned out to be Row, row, row your boat ...
—Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Oct. 2021
Variants, mandates, quarantines and requirements -- who knew 2021 would be so polysyllabic?
—Maureen O'Hare, CNN, 21 Aug. 2021
Her cousin Berg takes pleasure in spouting polysyllabic, pedantic words that belie his hulking form.
—oregonlive, 11 Feb. 2020
In his pursuit to become prime minister, Mr. Johnson has adapted his old habits — the theatrics, the polysyllabic put-downs, the outlandish plans — for the Brexit era.
—Benjamin Mueller, New York Times, 22 July 2019
Dictionary Entries Near polysyllabic
Cite this Entry
“Polysyllabic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polysyllabic. Accessed 15 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
polysyllabic
adjective
poly·syl·lab·ic
ˌpäl-i-sə-ˈlab-ik
: having many syllables
especially
: having more than three syllables
polysyllable
noun
ˈpäl-i-ˌsil-ə-bəl
ˌpäl-i-ˈsil-
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