Word
bombastic
Phoneticsbom·bas·tic, stress on the second syllable
US/bɑmˈbæstɪk/
UK/bəmbˈɑːstɪk/
Definition
adj. full of big, showy words that try to sound important but often sound empty. You use it for speeches or writing that feel too grand for what they say.
adj. characterized by inflated, pompous language intended to impress but lacking real substance. Often describes speeches, writing, or rhetoric.
Examples
“His speech sounds bombastic and hard to follow.”
“The manager's bombastic email uses long words but says little about the new schedule.”
“Behind the candidate's bombastic promises of instant renewal lay vague plans that collapsed under careful questioning from journalists.”
Examples
simple
“His speech sounds bombastic and hard to follow.”
contextual
“The manager's bombastic email uses long words but says little about the new schedule.”
complex
“Behind the candidate's bombastic promises of instant renewal lay vague plans that collapsed under careful questioning from journalists.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “bombastic” in context.
Verb
01. become bombastic
“The debate became bombastic when candidates traded grand insults.”
verb + adj
02. condemn as bombastic
“The press condemned the manifesto as bombastic and unrealistic.”
verb + prep + adj
03. dismiss as bombastic
“Critics dismissed his address as bombastic and lacking substance.”
verb + prep + adj
Noun
04. bombastic claim
“His bombastic claim to have solved the crisis angered experts.”
adj + noun
05. bombastic language
“The report uses bombastic language to hide its weak findings.”
adj + noun
06. bombastic rhetoric
“Voters grew tired of his bombastic rhetoric about national greatness.”
adj + noun
07. bombastic speech
“The mayor delivered a bombastic speech that promised to transform the city overnight.”
adj + noun
08. bombastic style
“Students parodied the columnist's bombastic style in the school paper.”
adj + noun
09. a bombastic campaign speech
“He opened the rally with a bombastic campaign speech.”
10. cut through bombastic language
“Good journalism should cut through bombastic language to reveal facts.”
11. dismiss as pompous and bombastic
“Reviewers dismissed the memoir as pompous and bombastic.”
12. full of bombastic promises
“The manifesto was full of bombastic promises with no costings.”
Real-World Examples
“Gordon-Levitt depicts him as a man whose bombastic self-confidence is matched by his cleverness.” Etymology
From bombast (“padding, stuffing”) + -ic, 18th century. Sense evolution possibly influenced by unrelated bomb and bombard; see also bombard phrase.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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