bombastic
Puffed up speech
Bombastic describes speech or writing that sounds grand and impressive but is actually overblown and empty—lots of big words and dramatic phrasing with little substance behind them.
The term is always critical: His bombastic speeches impressed no one who listened closely.
A bombastic person inflates their language to seem more important or authoritative than they are.
Pretentiously elevated in speech
- magniloquentUsing pompous, elevated rhetoric
- highfalutinAffectedly superior or fancy
- pompousAffectedly grand in manner
- pretentiousFalsely grand or important
turgid · orotund · fustian · declamatory · overblown · inflated · bloated · tumid
Elaborately decorated
- embellishedDecorated or exaggerated
- baroqueExcessively ornate or elaborate
- rococoExcessively elaborate in style
- elaborateComplex and detailed
flowery · flamboyant · overwrought · purple · extravagant · gilded · luxuriant · opulent
Excessively wordy in speech
- wordyUsing more language than necessary
- long-windedExcessively wordy, tediously so
- ramblingLong-winded and unfocused
- diffuseSpread thinly throughout
discursive · circumlocutory · periphrastic · pleonastic · redundant · garrulous · loquacious · overwrought
Formal eloquent discourse
- rhetoricArt of persuasive language
- orationFormal public speech
- declamationForceful, theatrical speaking
- harangueAggressive lengthy scolding
diatribe · tirade · sermon · monologue · soliloquy · proclamation · address · peroration
Producing deep, loud sound
- boomingExperiencing rapid growth
- stentorianExtremely loud and resonant
- resoundingEchoing loudly and fully
- blaringHarshly loud
vociferous · clamorous · strident · ranting · blustering · roaring · bellowing · braying
grandiloquent
Pretentiously elevated in speech
- magniloquentUsing pompous, elevated rhetoric
- highfalutinAffectedly superior or fancy
- pompousAffectedly grand in manner
pretentious · turgid · orotund · fustian · declamatory · overblown · inflated · bloated · tumid · windy
ornate
Elaborately decorated
- embellishedDecorated or exaggerated
- baroqueExcessively ornate or elaborate
- rococoExcessively elaborate in style
elaborate · flowery · flamboyant · overwrought · purple · extravagant · gilded · luxuriant · opulent · fussy
prolix
Excessively wordy in speech
- wordyUsing more language than necessary
- long-windedExcessively wordy, tediously so
- ramblingLong-winded and unfocused
diffuse · discursive · circumlocutory · periphrastic · pleonastic · redundant · garrulous · loquacious · overwrought · digressive
oratory
Formal eloquent discourse
- rhetoricArt of persuasive language
- orationFormal public speech
- declamationForceful, theatrical speaking
harangue · diatribe · tirade · sermon · monologue · soliloquy · proclamation · address · peroration · exhortation
thundering
Producing deep, loud sound
- boomingExperiencing rapid growth
- stentorianExtremely loud and resonant
- resoundingEchoing loudly and fully
blaring · vociferous · clamorous · strident · ranting · blustering · roaring · bellowing · braying · deafening
- dramatic tonesintense, tense, suspenseful, ominous, foreboding
- media descriptorsdramatic, thrilling, suspenseful, emotional, atmospheric
- speaking stylesarticulate, blunt, candid, conversational, casual
- theatricaltheatrical, dramatic, melodramatic, histrionic, hammy
- rhetoricrhetoric, persuasion, oratory, argumentation, debate
- Overblown Wordspompous, grandiose, inflated, overblown, pretentious
bombasticunderstated
Deliberately minimized in expression
plain · simple · unadorned · straightforward · direct
bombasticmodest
Lacking in pretension
humble · unpretentious · unassuming · restrained · reserved