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
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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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Saxon, for instance, is filling the same spoiled, arrogant space as Jake Lacy’s Shane from Season One.—
Alan Sepinwall,
Rolling Stone,
11 Feb. 2025
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From director James Ashcroft (Coming Home in the Dark), who co-wrote the script with Eli Kent, The Rule of Jenny Pen centers on arrogant judge Stefan Mortensen (Rush), who has to live in a retirement home after a near-fatal stroke leaves him partially paralyzed.—
Sydney Bucksbaum,
EW.com,
3 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Two of the group were judged superior, seven excellent and three very good.—
Contributed Content,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
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Evans said that Russia is struggling to repel Ukrainian forces because of Kyiv’s superior use of technology, mostly drones and electronic warfare interference technology.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN,
7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Oliver then suddenly appeared with a smug look on his face.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
11 Feb. 2025
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Remember how, in that SNL book, Ferrell represented the hip future of comedy, mocking the smug boomer shtick of a Chevy Chase?—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
4 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Resolutions — symbolic statements of values or support — often become a rhetorical battleground in the House, given some of its more right-wing Republican members, and a resolution about Jan. 6 represents a significant landmine for the chamber.—
Seth Klamann,
The Denver Post,
10 Feb. 2025
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Thus far, the similarities between Orban and Trump are most pronounced in their rhetorical positioning.—
BÁLINT MADLOVICS,
Foreign Affairs,
10 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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When asked what the three most important roles of the township clerk are, Pauley spoke about the importance of keeping notes and records for the township, integrity in regards to bids submitted for projects, and the clerk’s role in local elections.—
David Sharos,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2025
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Get best-in-class reporting that's too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year.—
Louryn Strampe,
WIRED,
11 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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By drawing from his Mexican and Irish American roots, as well as his life as a proud gay man, Chavarria flaunts his progressive principles while creating new and novel experiences on the runway.—
Cat Cardenas,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Feb. 2025
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Er, well, for the dozens of proud Vision Pro owners.—
Julian Chokkattu,
WIRED,
8 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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This upsets Slowik, who then forces the pretentious foodie to cook an impromptu dish in front of everyone.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
1 Feb. 2025
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You might get confused, bored, or angry sometimes, or wonder if the exercise was unnecessarily silly or pretentious.—
Matt Zoller Seitz,
Vulture,
16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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According to a Vet Explains Pets article by Dr. Jess Kirk, the breeds that are more suited for living with small animals like rabbits include golden retrievers, cavalier king Charles spaniels, pugs, beagles, and poodles, among others.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
30 Jan. 2025
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So maybe, on some level, Jeff was acting out his cavalier attitude toward his own masculine spirit.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
27 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Highfalutin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/highfalutin. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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