1
as in rhetoric
boastful speech or writing
the other world leaders at the international conference had little interest in being subjected to the president's bombast
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in grandiloquence
language that is impressive-sounding but not meaningful or sincere
you need less bombast and more substance in this speech on human rights
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bombast
That's because the economic mood is really what seemed to matter most, and many people don't take a lot of what Trump says seriously because of his penchant for bombast and his transactional nature.
—
Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 19 Jan. 2025
On Dangerous, Riley helps carve a sharper figure out of the bloat and bombast that defines all of Jackson’s post-Thriller albums, and Jackson’s increasingly percussive vocal style came alive in new ways over Riley’s propulsive new jack swing tracks.
—Al Shipley, SPIN, 16 Jan. 2025
Donald Trump’s stance on nuclear weapons has been one of obsessive and reckless bombast.
—Abe Streep, The New Yorker, 27 Dec. 2024
These new movies offer a new kind of spectacle, one that’s not just a matter of audiovisual bombast but that inheres in cinematic form, becomes part of a film’s narrative architecture, and creates a distinctive psychological relationship with viewers.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 5 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for bombast 
Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 19 Jan. 2025
On Dangerous, Riley helps carve a sharper figure out of the bloat and bombast that defines all of Jackson’s post-Thriller albums, and Jackson’s increasingly percussive vocal style came alive in new ways over Riley’s propulsive new jack swing tracks.
—Al Shipley, SPIN, 16 Jan. 2025
Donald Trump’s stance on nuclear weapons has been one of obsessive and reckless bombast.
—Abe Streep, The New Yorker, 27 Dec. 2024
These new movies offer a new kind of spectacle, one that’s not just a matter of audiovisual bombast but that inheres in cinematic form, becomes part of a film’s narrative architecture, and creates a distinctive psychological relationship with viewers.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 5 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for bombast
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bombast
Noun
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Medvedev's comments, posted to Telegram on Saturday, suggested that Vance's rhetoric took European leaders by surprise and aligned with Russian criticisms of Western democracies.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
15 Feb. 2025
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However, Baird’s Mayfield noted that traders will likely be kept on their toes in regards to trade policy, and will have to learn to live with the uncertainty around the president’s rhetoric on trade.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
14 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Much of that singularity was centered in McCarthy’s prose, which ricocheted—sometimes gracefully, sometimes jarringly—between gruff matter-of-factness and soaring, biblical grandiloquence.—
Alex Shephard,
The New Republic,
13 June 2023
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Several of them can fly, and all have at least a touch of grandiloquence to them.—
Michael Nordine,
Variety,
11 Aug. 2022
Noun
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Silvia’s braggadocio wins her the attention of a heartthrob named Diego (Agustín Sosa) — and the wrath of local beauty Natalia (Dolores Oliverio), who has always believed that Diego was hers.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Feb. 2025
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Social media is Trump’s territory, and its norms—insults without consequence, braggadocio, and flame wars—line up neatly with his way of doing politics.—
Jay Caspian Kang,
The New Yorker,
16 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The humble brag is a new shiny toy for some people.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes,
5 Dec. 2024
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The brag quickly caught the attention of Swift fans across social media, who rushed to attack Spector while defending Swift.—
Jackson Thompson,
Fox News,
19 Nov. 2024
Noun
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If Trump’s musings are really aimed at bullying the Canadian government into trade concessions, then his bellicose bluster is self-defeating.—
Lawrence B.A. Hatter / Made by History,
TIME,
4 Feb. 2025
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There is barely time to think about which bag to grab on your way out the door to safety and no real way to sort the credible threats from the bluster and theater.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
31 Jan. 2025
Noun
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When the crowd broke into chatter and shocked reactions, Gomez hung her head.—
Kaitlyn Huamani,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2025
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In Lorne Michaels’ world, a little loose chatter goes a long way.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
10 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near bombast
Cite this Entry
“Bombast.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bombast. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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