as in rhetoric
marked by the use of impressive-sounding but mostly meaningless words and phrases
a bombastic speech intended to impress the voters in her congressional district
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Recent Examples of bombastic
Marcello Hernandez’s movie-guy character, a bombastic enthusiast who has not seen movies but loves SpongeBob, was also really fun.
—
Rima Parikh, Vulture, 2 Mar. 2025
Mike Allen, Avery Lotz Feb 24, 2025 - Politics & Policy
Trump's loyalty-first FBI
President Trump named bombastic MAGA podcast star Dan Bongino as deputy FBI director — a role that doesn't require Senate confirmation, and typically goes to a senior agent.
—Rebecca Falconer, Axios, 24 Feb. 2025
O’Brien has a very specific brand of humor that mixes the bombastic and the surreal with a biting sharpness and a healthy dose of self depreciation.
—Rosa Escandon, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
Even in recognizing his affinity for James Cagney, whose button-nose and short stature contrasted against his bombastic presence, Hackman is registering the type of Hollywood actor that created a space for themselves rather than worked to fit any mold.
—Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 1 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bombastic
Rima Parikh, Vulture, 2 Mar. 2025
Mike Allen, Avery Lotz Feb 24, 2025 - Politics & Policy
Trump's loyalty-first FBI
President Trump named bombastic MAGA podcast star Dan Bongino as deputy FBI director — a role that doesn't require Senate confirmation, and typically goes to a senior agent.
—Rebecca Falconer, Axios, 24 Feb. 2025
O’Brien has a very specific brand of humor that mixes the bombastic and the surreal with a biting sharpness and a healthy dose of self depreciation.
—Rosa Escandon, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
Even in recognizing his affinity for James Cagney, whose button-nose and short stature contrasted against his bombastic presence, Hackman is registering the type of Hollywood actor that created a space for themselves rather than worked to fit any mold.
—Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 1 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bombastic
Cite this Entry
“Bombastic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bombastic. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.
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