variants
also hifalutin
1
as in rhetoric
full of fine words and fancy expressions
his highfalutin paean to the working class failed to win over a crowd that wanted to hear down-to-earth proposals for economic relief
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in arrogant
having a feeling of superiority that shows itself in an overbearing attitude
her highfalutin relatives from New York made the snide remark that her little house "has that lived-in look"
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in superior
having or displaying feelings of scorn for what is regarded as beneath oneself
refused to be intimidated by the highfalutin manner of the sales staff in the fashionable boutique
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in smug
self-consciously trying to present an appearance of grandeur or importance
"fine Southern cuisine" sounds a bit highfalutin for a barbecue shack
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of highfalutin
Newsom, for all his highfalutin rhetoric about championing all Californians, just can’t quit the gentry and the insiders who have made his career.
—
Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2024
After selling more than 150 million albums, filling stadiums for decades and earning highfalutin accolades such as the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song and Kennedy Center Honors, Garth Brooks shouldn’t be affected by much.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 13 Sep. 2024
The general idea is: creative cocktail lounge minus all the highfalutin fuss.
—David Hudnall, Kansas City Star, 11 July 2024
Whitmer makes her case in less than 160 pages with almost no highfalutin language.
—Amanda Uhle, Washington Post, 9 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for highfalutin
Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2024
After selling more than 150 million albums, filling stadiums for decades and earning highfalutin accolades such as the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song and Kennedy Center Honors, Garth Brooks shouldn’t be affected by much.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 13 Sep. 2024
The general idea is: creative cocktail lounge minus all the highfalutin fuss.
—David Hudnall, Kansas City Star, 11 July 2024
Whitmer makes her case in less than 160 pages with almost no highfalutin language.
—Amanda Uhle, Washington Post, 9 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for highfalutin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for highfalutin
Adjective
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According to Packer, several surefire ways to ensure success start here: Be arrogant!—
Dominique Fluker,
Essence,
17 Feb. 2025
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In 1254, King Edward I and Queen Eleanor of Castile were married at a very young age, and although Edward had a reputation for being arrogant and quarrelsome, the pair eventually fell deeply in love.—
Gulnaz Khan,
AFAR Media,
13 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Recently, a bold and intriguing narrative emerged from the Women’s National Basketball Association, where several players have publicly declared their capabilities as being on par with, if not superior to, those in the National Basketball Association.—
Nafees Alam,
Boston Herald,
18 Feb. 2025
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The Pixel Watch 3 is superior to both with its mix of static and dynamic scores that offer more depth of insight.—
PCMAG,
PCMAG,
18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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While the Duttons are just barely scraping by, the smug evil-doer is enjoying a warm bath in his mansion.—
Matt Cabral,
EW.com,
23 Feb. 2025
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Most of your editorials, John Brummett, Rex Nelson, and John Deering, are blatant Trump haters, and their smug, condescending echo-chamber mindsets are constantly denigrating, mocking, and disrespecting at least 64 percent of your potential readers.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
15 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The rhetorical strategy was part of Macron’s effort to keep the unsteady peace talks moving forward.—
Brian Bennett,
TIME,
25 Feb. 2025
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Last spring, the Kremlin added a new rhetorical weapon to its regular barrages against President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine.—
Paul Sonne,
New York Times,
20 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The General Assembly has become the most important U.N. body on Ukraine because the Security Council has been paralyzed by Russia’s veto power.—
Edith M. Lederer,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Feb. 2025
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And so this awards show — the one that feels like a family reunion and that actually recognizes more than one or a few Black folks — can be the most important one if treat it as such.—
Kathleen Newman-Bremang,
refinery29.com,
24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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His proud display of his mug shot is just the latest example of his disregard for political norms.—
Alana Wise,
NPR,
20 Feb. 2025
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As proud Illinoisans, we were honored to showcase to our Washington colleagues what Midwest sensibility can achieve, and our visits to Project HOOD and Pacific Garden served as a reminder to us all how our civic duty affects real individuals and families.—
Danny K. Davis,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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But diners won’t find pretentious fare at Canal House Station.—
USA TODAY,
USA TODAY,
13 Feb. 2025
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Art fairs trend toward the exclusive and pretentious.—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes,
14 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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According to a Vet Explains Pets article by Dr. Jess Kirk, the breeds that are more suited for living with small animals like rabbits include golden retrievers, cavalier king Charles spaniels, pugs, beagles, and poodles, among others.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
30 Jan. 2025
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Solano’s sentiment was shared Monday morning by other industry leaders and by former diplomatic officials who saw the cavalier way in which Colombia’s economic lifeline was being discussed — and potentially ruined — on social media as highly irresponsible.—
Antonio Maria Delgado,
Miami Herald,
27 Jan. 2025
Articles Related to highfalutin
Cite this Entry
“Highfalutin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/highfalutin. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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