variants
also hifalutin
1
as in rhetoric
full of fine words and fancy expressions
his highfalutin paean to the working class failed to win over a crowd that wanted to hear down-to-earth proposals for economic relief
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in arrogant
having a feeling of superiority that shows itself in an overbearing attitude
her highfalutin relatives from New York made the snide remark that her little house "has that lived-in look"
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in superior
having or displaying feelings of scorn for what is regarded as beneath oneself
refused to be intimidated by the highfalutin manner of the sales staff in the fashionable boutique
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in smug
self-consciously trying to present an appearance of grandeur or importance
"fine Southern cuisine" sounds a bit highfalutin for a barbecue shack
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of highfalutin
Newsom, for all his highfalutin rhetoric about championing all Californians, just can’t quit the gentry and the insiders who have made his career.
—
Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2024
After selling more than 150 million albums, filling stadiums for decades and earning highfalutin accolades such as the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song and Kennedy Center Honors, Garth Brooks shouldn’t be affected by much.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 13 Sep. 2024
The general idea is: creative cocktail lounge minus all the highfalutin fuss.
—David Hudnall, Kansas City Star, 11 July 2024
Whitmer makes her case in less than 160 pages with almost no highfalutin language.
—Amanda Uhle, Washington Post, 9 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for highfalutin
Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2024
After selling more than 150 million albums, filling stadiums for decades and earning highfalutin accolades such as the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song and Kennedy Center Honors, Garth Brooks shouldn’t be affected by much.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 13 Sep. 2024
The general idea is: creative cocktail lounge minus all the highfalutin fuss.
—David Hudnall, Kansas City Star, 11 July 2024
Whitmer makes her case in less than 160 pages with almost no highfalutin language.
—Amanda Uhle, Washington Post, 9 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for highfalutin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for highfalutin
Adjective
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So this kind of parallel can easily be drawn between Iran and other countries, [including those with] an arrogant isolation program, definitely.—
Georg Szalai,
The Hollywood Reporter,
13 Mar. 2025
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One of the targets of his reign of terror is arrogant Judge Stefan Mortensen, played by Oscar-winning actor Geoffrey Rush admitted to the facility after being left partially paralyzed after a stroke.—
Simon Thompson,
Forbes,
5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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However, comparative studies have found that alternatives like pumpkin seed oil and linoleic acid offer superior hydration.—
Boutayna Chokrane,
WIRED,
14 Mar. 2025
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Lululemon’s Glow Up Super-High-Rise Tight is superior to others in many ways.—
Katie Decker-Jacoby,
StyleCaster,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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While the Duttons are just barely scraping by, the smug evil-doer is enjoying a warm bath in his mansion.—
Matt Cabral,
EW.com,
23 Feb. 2025
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Most of your editorials, John Brummett, Rex Nelson, and John Deering, are blatant Trump haters, and their smug, condescending echo-chamber mindsets are constantly denigrating, mocking, and disrespecting at least 64 percent of your potential readers.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
15 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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After his pardon, Forrest perfected a rhetorical technique for his extremism.—
David Cason,
The Conversation,
7 Mar. 2025
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That level of rhetorical sophistication was missing from all of his previous congressional addresses.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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This historical pattern prompts an important question: could Deere’s current $500 share price potentially fall below $350 if similar market conditions recur?—
Trefis Team,
Forbes,
8 Mar. 2025
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But this year the 54-year-old stepped into what’s arguably the most challenging, complex, and coveted role in American musical theater, Mama Rose, in the equally as important midcentury Broadway musical Gypsy.—
The Glamour editors,
Glamour,
8 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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James, the proud dad was caught on camera celebrating the win like his own team had won the championship.—
Leonard Greene,
New York Daily News,
16 Mar. 2025
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Jaylon is a proud alumnus of the University of Georgia.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
16 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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In the cool interiors of this chic Parisian address though, savouring an aged Armagnac after lunch or dinner is not a pretentious throwback, but a gastronomic pleasure.—
Paul Caputo,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
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The restaurant is slightly more elevated than your classic casual spot but is far from pretentious.—
Lydia Mansel,
Southern Living,
25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Today, despite a cavalier public attitude toward the disease, AIDS causes over 630,000 deaths globally.—
Powel H. Kazanjian,
The Conversation,
5 Mar. 2025
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But after this rush of cavalier soldiering and bitter sarcasm comes a sobering moment.—
Jake Coyle,
Boston Herald,
28 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to highfalutin
Cite this Entry
“Highfalutin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/highfalutin. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.
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