turgid

adjective

tur·​gid ˈtər-jəd 

1

: excessively embellished in style or language : bombastic, pompous

turgid prose

2

: being in a state of distension : swollen, tumid

turgid limbs

especially : exhibiting turgor

turgidity

ˌtər-ˈji-də-tē 

noun

turgidly

ˈtər-jəd-lē 

adverb

turgidness noun

Synonyms

• bloated
• blown
• distended
• overinflated
• puffed
• swollen
• tumescent
• tumid
• varicose
• varicosed

Examples of turgid in a Sentence

turgid leeches having had their fill of blood

Recent Examples on the Web

Yet the spark of inspiration that made Apocalypse Now so vibrant and unpredictable is snuffed by a turgid obsession with military ritual. —Scott Tobias, Vulture, 27 Sep. 2024

He was quickly flown back to Moscow, a trial date was no less quickly set — and then the turgid legal process of one exasperating delay after another took command of events. —Howard Blum, Washington Post, 26 June 2024

Overhaul turgid cumbersome performance reporting to report performance in a clear dashboard with visuals to provide better public understanding of investment performance. —Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Hartford Courant, 7 Apr. 2024

Damien is a reluctant Antichrist who takes ten turgid episodes to kind of maybe embrace his inherent evil in this single-season A&E TV series created by The Walking Dead’s Glen Mazzara. —Josh Bell, Vulture, 5 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin turgidus, from turgēre to be swollen

First Known Use

1620, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

turgid

adjective

tur·​gid ˈtər-jəd 

1

: being in a swollen state

2

: exhibiting turgor

a turgid plant cell

Medical Definition

turgid

adjective

tur·​gid ˈtər-jəd 

: being in a normal or abnormal state of distension : swollen, tumid

turgid limbs

turgid living cells