Bombastic
hardbom-BAS-tik
adjective
Definition
High-sounding but with little meaning; inflated or pretentious language
Examples
“The CEO's bombastic speeches impressed no one.”
“Critics dismissed the novel's bombastic prose as overwrought.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Categories
GRE Tip
Bombastic is a hard-difficulty GRE word. On the GRE, you might see it paired with synonyms like "grandiloquent" or "pompous" in Sentence Equivalence questions. Look for contrast clues (however, despite, although) that signal the opposite meaning. Words like "understated".
Related GRE Words
vainglorious
Excessively proud of oneself or one's achievements; boastful
taciturn
Reserved or uncommunicative in speech; saying little
reticent
Not revealing one's thoughts or feelings readily; reserved
garrulous
Excessively talkative, especially on trivial matters
laconic
Using very few words; concise to the point of seeming rude or mysterious
prolix
Using or containing too many words; tediously lengthy
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