pontificators
Self-important opinion-givers
Pontificators are people who express opinions in a pompous, dogmatic way, as if their views were beyond question.
The word carries a dismissive tone—calling someone a pontificator suggests they lecture rather than converse, holding forth without interest in other perspectives: The Sunday talk shows are full of political pontificators.
See also pontificate.
Those who teach formally
- sermonizersThose who preach tediously
- bloviatorsPompous, long-winded talkers
- windbagsThose who prattle excessively
- grandstandersThose seeking public attention
orators · speechifiers · moralists · preachers · harangues · blowhards · gasbags · loudmouths
Highly skilled practitioners
- punditsExpert commentators on affairs
- commentatorsThose who analyze publicly
- academicsProfessional researchers and teachers
- authoritiesThose holding official control
professors · intellectuals · scholars · critics · analysts · theorists · specialists · gurus
Condescending, self-important people
- elitistsThose claiming superiority
- patronizersThose who belittle others
- condescendersThose who patronize others
- self-righteousSmugly certain of correctness
moralizers · sanctimonious · busybodies · scolds · stuffed shirts · prigs · upbraiders · self-appointed
lecturers
Those who teach formally
- sermonizersThose who preach tediously
- bloviatorsPompous, long-winded talkers
- windbagsThose who prattle excessively
grandstanders · orators · speechifiers · moralists · preachers · harangues · blowhards · gasbags · loudmouths · soapboxers
experts
Highly skilled practitioners
- punditsExpert commentators on affairs
- commentatorsThose who analyze publicly
- academicsProfessional researchers and teachers
authorities · professors · intellectuals · scholars · critics · analysts · theorists · specialists · gurus · sages
snobs
Condescending, self-important people
- elitistsThose claiming superiority
- patronizersThose who belittle others
- condescendersThose who patronize others
self-righteous · moralizers · sanctimonious · busybodies · scolds · stuffed shirts · prigs · upbraiders · self-appointed · judgmental
pontificatorslisteners
Those who attend aurally
questioners · inquirers · askers · wallflowers · sounding boards