bombastic
/bɒmˈbæs.tɪk/
Group 27Difficulty 2/3
Definition
- (adjective)
- High-sounding but with little meaning; inflated GRE
Example in Context
The general's bombastic rhetoric about military superiority was contradicted by intelligence reports showing significant deficiencies in readiness.
Synonyms
pompousgrandioseoverblown
Etymology
Derived from 'bomb', suggesting inflated and pompous speech.
- bombax (Latin) — cotton or bomb
Memory Aid
🎇Sounds like “bomb basket”
A BOMBER drops a basket of fireworks that make a lot of NOISE but have little substance!
Visual Association
🎤A politician with a giant microphone, shouting flowery phrases that leave the audience confused and unimpressed.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “bombastic” mean on the GRE?
bombastic (adjective) means “High-sounding but with little meaning; inflated”. The general's bombastic rhetoric about military superiority was contradicted by intelligence reports showing significant deficiencies in readiness.
How to remember “bombastic” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “bombastic” sounds like “bomb basket”. A BOMBER drops a basket of fireworks that make a lot of NOISE but have little substance!
What are synonyms for “bombastic”?
Common synonyms: pompous, grandiose, overblown.