Fustian

Fustian, in its primary sense, refers to a thick, durable cloth, typically made from cotton or a blend, with a coarse texture. It's often napped or corded, making it resilient and warm. Beyond the fabric itself, 'fustian' is used figuratively to describe language or writing that is pompous, bombastic, or inflated in style. It often conveys a sense of pretentiousness and empty grandiloquence, where the words used are far more elaborate than the subject warrants. This inflated language attempts to impress but instead comes across as affected and insincere. The word itself evokes a certain dated and somewhat humorous quality. This reflects an attempt to seem important by the language and the user.

Fustian meaning with examples

• The politician's speech was filled with fustian; elaborate pronouncements designed to make him seem superior to the general public. His flowery language, stuffed with lofty rhetoric, failed to address any real issues. The audience quickly lost interest as they realized there was no substance to the grand display.
• The romance novel was riddled with fustian, using melodramatic descriptions of the hero's physique to hide a shallow plot. Each dramatic declaration of love and loss came across as forced and unbelievable. The author seemingly favored style over story or substance. The readers were left with a sense of dissatisfaction and an inability to connect.
• The critic labeled the play's dialogue as fustian, noting the characters' inflated speeches and lack of genuine emotion. They criticized the heavy use of antiquated expressions and over-the-top gestures. They also remarked that the character felt detached from his audience due to his inflated persona.
• Her attempt at poetry was rendered fustian by the excessive use of similes and metaphors, hiding the thin story. The metaphors became overwrought, distracting from the core theme. She seems to have emphasized style over any true feeling. The result felt empty and inaccessible.
• The commercial's voice-over used fustian to market the product, which in reality was an overly complicated process. Its language was packed with inflated claims of innovation, but ultimately, the product was nothing unique. The consumer realized that the elaborate marketing hid a very ordinary item.