Words / C2

bom-BAST-ik/bɒmˈbæstɪk/

Bombastic language is inflated and pompous: a bombastic introduction, bombastic claims. Verbose (already in the dictionary) means too many words; bombastic means the words are puffed up. Grandiloquent is a rarer synonym. Cut bombast; keep the point.

Meaning

Using pompous, inflated language that sounds more impressive than it is.

Examples

• “The bombastic introduction promised more than the essay delivered.”
• “The manifesto was bombastic and short on numbers.”
• “Bombastic praise from the chair embarrassed the winner.”

Good to know

bombastic + speech/writing. Too many words: verbose. Puffed-up: bombastic.

Near in meaning

grandiloquent

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