FUSTIAN Synonyms: 74 Similar and Opposite Words

fustian 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of fustian

as in rhetorical

marked by the use of impressive-sounding but mostly meaningless words and phrases one of those fustian odes to patriotic duty that were so beloved by school teachers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

fustian

2 of 2

noun

ˈfəs-chən

as in rhetoric

language that is impressive-sounding but not meaningful or sincere a speech awash in old-fashioned fustian and bereft of all substance

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fustian

Adjective

Eisenkot lacks Netanyahu’s rhetorical flair, polished English, and decades on the world stage.

— Eric Cortellessa, Time, 25 Oct. 2026
The White House and Vance’s press office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on his rhetorical about-face.

— Eli Hager, ProPublica, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of rhetorical

Noun

Israel and Iran ramped up their rhetoric against one another, raising the prospect of a return to open conflict in the Middle East.

— Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 23 Oct. 2026
The Israeli-American Council forcefully condemned his rhetoric as dangerous, dehumanizing hate speech.

— Staff, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of rhetoric

Adjective

The boxes allegedly cost substantially less to produce, allowing the conspirators to use the inflated prices to finance bribes and divert government funds.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2026
As a result, conventional estimates produced inflated efficiency values that failed to reflect actual device behavior under operating conditions.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of inflated

Adjective

In another decree published Monday, Leo canceled Francis’ plans to move some of the Vatican’s secret archives and library holdings out of the city state and onto the grounds of a pontifical university across town.

— Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Leo opened his visit to Pompeii by meeting with sick and disabled people who are cared for by a charity center affiliated with the sanctuary, which Leo’s namesake, Pope Leo XIII, declared a pontifical basilica in 1901.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 May 2026

Definition of pontifical

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

fussy

fustian

fustigate

See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

Style

“Fustian.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fustian. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of fustian

adjective

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on fustian

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

grotesque

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes