1
as in rhetorical
full of fine words and fancy expressions
poets in the 19th century tended to write poetry filled with grandiloquent phrases
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in pontifical
marked by the use of impressive-sounding but mostly meaningless words and phrases
at Independence Day celebrations grandiloquent speeches by local politicians are as traditional as fireworks
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Recent Examples of grandiloquent
There was Coppola’s over-the-top defense of his friend with a grandiloquent gesture (Tanen declined to sell).
—
Michael O’Donnell, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2026
Reform—Within Reason Malthus aimed to puncture Godwin’s grandiloquent progressivism.
—Roy Scranton, JSTOR Daily, 18 Sep. 2025
Michael O’Donnell, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2026
Reform—Within Reason Malthus aimed to puncture Godwin’s grandiloquent progressivism.
—Roy Scranton, JSTOR Daily, 18 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grandiloquent
Adjective
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Building and construction unions no longer can use their old rhetorical cudgel in this debate — calling prefab homes flimsy and unsafe.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
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Although each new rhetorical blow against the alliance brings a fresh shock, analysts say that Europe got the message some time ago.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The bishops further authorized a new edition of the Roman Pontifical for pontifical Masses, expected to be completed by 2027, with Vatican approval pending for some rites, according to the Catholic News Agency.—
Jordan King,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Nov. 2025
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In its report, the pontifical commission highlights failures in the Italian church.—
Christopher Lamb,
CNN Money,
16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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As for the ornate headwear, seersucker suits, and profusion of pastels that usually accompany this horse race, well, that’s your call.—
Devra Ferst,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
3 Apr. 2026
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Instead, think of the hyper-realistic ornate floral rugs your mom might’ve had sometime in the '90s or early 2000s.—
Cori Sears,
The Spruce,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Trekking guides and their businesses get a boost from inflated invoices, the outlet suggested.—
Alex Nitzberg,
FOXNews.com,
2 Apr. 2026
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However, California’s petroleum market watchdog is warning that some of the inflated price may be due to price gouging, my colleague Blanca Begert reports.—
Noah Haggerty,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The three-minute-plus earworm is more of a bombastic wakeup call than a nursery rhyme.—
Jae-Ha Kim,
Rolling Stone,
25 Mar. 2026
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Doucette's bombastic proclamation was vindicated in his standout performance, earning tournament MVP honors.—
Jim Reineking,
USA Today,
23 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grandiloquent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grandiloquent. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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