Pontificate
verb
To express your opinions in a way that shows you believe you are always right.
She feels the need to pontificate about everything, no matter how small the issue.
verb
To serve as a bishop, especially in the Roman Catholic Church.
He has pontificated at the Vatican for many years.
Usage tips
Formal
Religious
verb
To express your opinions in a way that shows you believe you are always right.
She feels the need to pontificate about everything, no matter how small the issue.
verb
To serve as a bishop, especially in the Roman Catholic Church.
He has pontificated at the Vatican for many years.
Usage tips
Formal
Religious
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Expressing Certainty
Used when someone is sure about their opinion and conveys it assertively.
During the debate, he began to pontificate on the subject as if his view was the final word.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotation
It can sound negative, suggesting arrogance or self-importance in the speaker.
Stop pontificating and listen to what others have to say!
Pro Tip 3/3Not for Casual Talk
Avoid using 'pontificate' in casual conversations; it can be perceived as overly formal or critical.
I didn't expect you to pontificate over such a trivial matter.
Pro Tip 1/3Expressing Certainty
Used when someone is sure about their opinion and conveys it assertively.
During the debate, he began to pontificate on the subject as if his view was the final word.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotation
It can sound negative, suggesting arrogance or self-importance in the speaker.
Stop pontificating and listen to what others have to say!
Pro Tip 3/3Not for Casual Talk
Avoid using 'pontificate' in casual conversations; it can be perceived as overly formal or critical.
I didn't expect you to pontificate over such a trivial matter.
Pro Tip 1/3Expressing Certainty
Used when someone is sure about their opinion and conveys it assertively.
During the debate, he began to pontificate on the subject as if his view was the final word.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotation
It can sound negative, suggesting arrogance or self-importance in the speaker.
Stop pontificating and listen to what others have to say!
Pro Tip 3/3Not for Casual Talk
Avoid using 'pontificate' in casual conversations; it can be perceived as overly formal or critical.
I didn't expect you to pontificate over such a trivial matter.
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Video examples
Behind the Scenes on the...
been shooting the promo is for the new summer episodes of brain games and I'm particularly excited about this campaign because we really went wild the riff usually involves me pontificating about different themes that brain games explores and that's really what we focus on this time actually boomtown the team
Video examples
How to disagree...
directly, respectfully, face to face. The foundation of debate is rebuttal. The idea that you make a claim and I provide a response, and you respond to my response. Without rebuttal, it's not debate, it's just pontificating.
Video examples
Behind the Scenes on the...
been shooting the promo is for the new summer episodes of brain games and I'm particularly excited about this campaign because we really went wild the riff usually involves me pontificating about different themes that brain games explores and that's really what we focus on this time actually boomtown the team
Video examples
How to disagree...
directly, respectfully, face to face. The foundation of debate is rebuttal. The idea that you make a claim and I provide a response, and you respond to my response. Without rebuttal, it's not debate, it's just pontificating.
Example 1 of 2
Quote examples
Shannon Lee
American Actress
I think, when people hear the word 'philosophy,' they think of Plato and a bunch of people sitting around in their robes pontificating about life and how it should be. But really, somebody who is an active philosopher should not only be thinking of these things but putting them into practice.
Quote examples
Betty White
American Actress
When I pontificate, it sounds so, you know, Oh, well, she's preaching. I'm not preaching, but I think maybe I learned it from my animal friends. Kindness and consideration of somebody besides yourself. I think that keeps you feeling young. I really do.
Quote examples
John Sununu
American Politician
After everyone has had a chance to bluster, posture, and pontificate, we are left with one basic question: under any foreseeable circumstance, would it be in our national interest to default on our debt? The answer is unequivocally no.
Quote examples
Kate Hudson
American Actress
Yes, I help my kids with their homework. But I also get bored doing it. I will sit and listen to my children pontificate and discuss their ideas till the day is long because it warms my heart, but I really don't want to do math!
Quote examples
Elon Musk
South African Businessman
I don't spend my time pontificating about high-concept things; I spend my time solving engineering and manufacturing problems.
Quote examples
Harold Evans
British Journalist
In journalism it is simpler to sound off than it is to find out. It is more elegant to pontificate than it is to sweat.
Quote examples
George Saunders
American Writer
We try, we fail, we posture, we aspire, we pontificate - and then we age, shrink, die, and vanish.
Quote examples
Roy Hodgson
English Businessman
I'm a football manager, a football coach; I can't be expected to pontificate on everything.
Quote examples
Stephen A. Smith
American Journalist
Radio affords you the opportunity to pontificate and elaborate extensively.
Quote examples
Wole Soyinka
Nigerian Dramatist
Education is lacking in most of those who pontificate.
Quote examples
Shannon Lee
American Actress
I think, when people hear the word 'philosophy,' they think of Plato and a bunch of people sitting around in their robes pontificating about life and how it should be. But really, somebody who is an active philosopher should not only be thinking of these things but putting them into practice.
Quote examples
Betty White
American Actress
When I pontificate, it sounds so, you know, Oh, well, she's preaching. I'm not preaching, but I think maybe I learned it from my animal friends. Kindness and consideration of somebody besides yourself. I think that keeps you feeling young. I really do.
Quote examples
John Sununu
American Politician
After everyone has had a chance to bluster, posture, and pontificate, we are left with one basic question: under any foreseeable circumstance, would it be in our national interest to default on our debt? The answer is unequivocally no.
Quote examples
Kate Hudson
American Actress
Yes, I help my kids with their homework. But I also get bored doing it. I will sit and listen to my children pontificate and discuss their ideas till the day is long because it warms my heart, but I really don't want to do math!
Quote examples
Elon Musk
South African Businessman
I don't spend my time pontificating about high-concept things; I spend my time solving engineering and manufacturing problems.
Quote examples
Harold Evans
British Journalist
In journalism it is simpler to sound off than it is to find out. It is more elegant to pontificate than it is to sweat.
Quote examples
George Saunders
American Writer
We try, we fail, we posture, we aspire, we pontificate - and then we age, shrink, die, and vanish.
Quote examples
Roy Hodgson
English Businessman
I'm a football manager, a football coach; I can't be expected to pontificate on everything.
Quote examples
Stephen A. Smith
American Journalist
Radio affords you the opportunity to pontificate and elaborate extensively.
Quote examples
Wole Soyinka
Nigerian Dramatist
Education is lacking in most of those who pontificate.
Example 1 of 10
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