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
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of highfalutin
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
Offerman brings a great counterpoint to these highfalutin words with his innate buff-dude physicality.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 19 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for highfalutin 
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
Offerman brings a great counterpoint to these highfalutin words with his innate buff-dude physicality.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 19 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for highfalutin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for highfalutin
Adjective
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Julie Bowen and Christopher McDonald return as love interest Virginia Venit and arrogant rival Shooter McGavin, respectively, and the cast includes rookies like Bad Bunny, Travis Kelce and pro wrestler Maxwell Jacob Friedman.—
Brian Truitt,
USA TODAY,
17 Jan. 2025
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Those include genial second-year resident Dr. King (Taylor Dearden), arrogant intern Santos (Isa Briones), and doe-eyed med students Javadi (Shabana Azeez) and Whittaker (Gerran Howell).—
Ryan Schwartz,
TVLine,
9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The matter is far from trivial: Sovereignty would give a country access to potentially significant oil, gas and rare earth resources, as well as superior scientific and military access to the future Transpolar Sea Route.—
Scott L. Montgomery,
The Conversation,
14 Jan. 2025
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Those who wanted to hear music like this could put on superior offerings from Lady Gaga or Kesha.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
13 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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João Franco Photo: Bravo/Mark Rogers/Bravo Deckhand/Bosun Below Deck Mediterranean Seasons 3-4 — 2nd Officer/Bosun Below Deck Down Under Season 2 — Why can’t someone knock the smug look off of this deckie turned bosun’s face?—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
31 Dec. 2024
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But the second half becomes increasingly generic conspiracy stuff, leading to a two-part conclusion that’s more smug and sanctimonious than the preceding action can justify.—
Daniel Fienberg,
The Hollywood Reporter,
28 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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But Canada’s distinct political culture makes Trump’s rhetorical dreams far more complicated in reality.—
Elizabeth Robinson,
NBC News,
8 Jan. 2025
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But this deal quickly turned political, given U.S. Steel's importance to the battleground state of Pennsylvania, and both Biden and Donald Trump came out in rhetorical opposition.—
Dan Primack,
Axios,
2 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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This year, with the Vancouver Canucks’ star forwards Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller are underperforming and goalie Thatcher Demko missing the first 24 games of the season with a knee injury, captain Quinn Hughes has become more important to his team than ever.—
Carol Schram,
Forbes,
19 Jan. 2025
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Mark Nuttall: China Cooperation Is Part of Greenland's Broader Ambitions China is an important market for Greenland's seafood exports, particularly shrimp and halibut, which are critical for Greenland's economy.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
19 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The proud dad, 40, and his oldest child made history in October 2024 by becoming the first father-son duo to play together in the NBA.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
People.com,
15 Jan. 2025
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Green would likely be proud of the award-winning bottles being produced today.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Mark pulled his sister Devon (Jen Tullock) aside at a party for his pretentious brother-in-law Ricken (Michael Chernus).—
Judy Berman,
TIME,
17 Jan. 2025
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Daniel Brühl co-starred as pretentious director Eric Bouchard, with Aya Cash as producer Anita and Billy Magnussen and Richard E. Grant as actors Adam Randolph and Peter Fairchild.—
Dave Nemetz,
TVLine,
3 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Star Wars: Skeleton Crew A cavalier Jude Law as a space pirate meets four kids way too far from home, plus some secrets of the galaxy and the Old Republic.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
30 Dec. 2024
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In her opening statement, Johnson painted Baldwin, who starred in and produced the film, as cavalier with firearms and suggested that the cast and crew faced constraints, ramping up the risk of someone getting injured on set.—
Victoria Bekiempis,
Vulture,
10 July 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Highfalutin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/highfalutin. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
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