SYNONYMS AND RELATED EXPRESSIONS
pontifical
adjective
Pompous and dogmatic in expressing an opinion.
Local English device voice, when available. This is not a recorded dictionary pronunciation.
Pompous and dogmatic
Closest synonyms
Related words and expressions
These extend or explain the idea and may require a different sentence structure.
Usage distinction
Return to topHere pontifical criticizes authoritative-sounding opinions. Magisterial can instead be approving; the literal religious senses are outside this group.
CHECK THE MEANING IN CONTEXT
See pontifical in use
His pontifical tone made a simple suggestion sound like an edict.
A pontifical pamphlet by the steward declared that every delayed reply revealed moral failure, presenting the sweeping opinion as unquestionable wisdom.
Compare an alternative with the original word in each passage. Shared meanings do not make every pair interchangeable.
Synonym reference scope and sources
The groups distinguish the senses selected for this study entry. Closest synonyms and broader related expressions have separate labels. The listed sources support lexical selection; not every phrase is a direct quotation from a source.
How the synonym reference was prepared / WordNet 3.0 license