Definitions

puffed-up

[puhft-uhp] / ˈpʌftˈʌp /

ADJECTIVE

pompous

Synonyms

WEAK

affected bloated boastful bombastic conceited flatulent flaunting flowery fustian grandiloquent grandiose high-and-mighty high-flown highfalutin hoity-toity imperious important inflated magisterial magniloquent narcissistic orotund ostentatious overbearing overblown pontifical portentous presumptuous pretentious puffy rhetorical self-centered self-important selfish showy sonorous stuck-up supercilious turgid uppity vain vainglorious windy

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

puffed-up

The puffed-up version is a lot less interesting and humanly evocative than the true version.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 19, 2026

Claudius comes across as a sinister puffed-up phony.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 25, 2026

One woman sits grinning idiotically at a huge, puffed-up pillow on her lap.

From Slate ● Jul. 21, 2025

In a way, that makes sense, given Ethan’s puffed-up prose.

From New York Times ● Feb. 6, 2024

Only Bram could wrangle a giant puffed-up marshmallow so neatly.

From "Leah on the Offbeat" by Becky Albertalli