1
as in rhetoric
boastful speech or writing
a heavyweight champion who was famous for his entertaining grandiloquence prior to every match
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2
as in bombast
language that is impressive-sounding but not meaningful or sincere
the predictably wearisome grandiloquence of the speeches at a political convention
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Recent Examples of grandiloquence
Much of that singularity was centered in McCarthy’s prose, which ricocheted—sometimes gracefully, sometimes jarringly—between gruff matter-of-factness and soaring, biblical grandiloquence.
—
Alex Shephard, The New Republic, 13 June 2023
Several of them can fly, and all have at least a touch of grandiloquence to them.
—Michael Nordine, Variety, 11 Aug. 2022
Rylance plays him with chest puffed out into grandiloquence, the painful shuffle of a man with no unbroken bones, and the periodic grace of a pixie.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 14 June 2022
At least some of the grandiloquence proved justified.
—Idrees Kahloon, The New Yorker, 16 May 2022
Many times, vision statements end up being washed up by grandiloquence.
—Nacho De Marco, Forbes, 26 Jan. 2022
There will be plenty more rhetoric, pomposity and grandiloquence in the next few weeks as negotiations between the union and MLB get hot and heavy.
—Bob Nightengale, USA TODAY, 13 May 2020
Behind the grandiloquence of his note was a young man, alone, under extraordinary stress.
—Barton Gellman, Washington Post, 11 May 2020
His most recent high-profile job, foreign secretary, found him ill at ease in a role that required more gravitas than grandiloquence.
—Benjamin Mueller, New York Times, 22 July 2019
Alex Shephard, The New Republic, 13 June 2023
Several of them can fly, and all have at least a touch of grandiloquence to them.
—Michael Nordine, Variety, 11 Aug. 2022
Rylance plays him with chest puffed out into grandiloquence, the painful shuffle of a man with no unbroken bones, and the periodic grace of a pixie.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 14 June 2022
At least some of the grandiloquence proved justified.
—Idrees Kahloon, The New Yorker, 16 May 2022
Many times, vision statements end up being washed up by grandiloquence.
—Nacho De Marco, Forbes, 26 Jan. 2022
There will be plenty more rhetoric, pomposity and grandiloquence in the next few weeks as negotiations between the union and MLB get hot and heavy.
—Bob Nightengale, USA TODAY, 13 May 2020
Behind the grandiloquence of his note was a young man, alone, under extraordinary stress.
—Barton Gellman, Washington Post, 11 May 2020
His most recent high-profile job, foreign secretary, found him ill at ease in a role that required more gravitas than grandiloquence.
—Benjamin Mueller, New York Times, 22 July 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grandiloquence
Noun
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Concerns over antisemitic rhetoric and vandalism didn’t even tighten the race.—
Sara Forman,
New York Daily News,
8 July 2025
-
Trump also targeted Canada in his rhetoric, suggesting the country could become the 51st state in the U.S.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
8 July 2025
Noun
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The chorus is essentially one word (peaches) repeated incessantly with operatic bombast.—
John Werner,
Forbes.com,
7 July 2025
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You’ll be treated to swank surroundings and a surprisingly refined and nuanced meal filled with bombast and a hint of down-to-earth charm from its culinary director, Ben Martinek (formerly of Montage Laguna Beach’s Loft and Studio).—
Brock Keeling,
Oc Register,
3 June 2025
Noun
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The most accomplished tracks excel at a carefree braggadocio and bottomless defiance foundational to hip-hop, fitting since Ice Spice hails from the Bronx, the birthplace of the culture.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
1 Aug. 2024
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Ditto his distinctive appearance, trumped only by a persuasive smile that conveyed an innocence and friendliness somewhat at odds with his braggadocio tales and hedonistic tendencies.—
Bob Gendron,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2025
Noun
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There’s a whole new tone and dynamism to LinkedIn: more human, less not-so-humble brag.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
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Archetypal playboy Eddie Irvine has always loved a humble brag, renowned for accumulating a long list boys toys assets after following a successful F1 career.—
Julia Zaltzman,
Robb Report,
24 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Grandiloquence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grandiloquence. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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