Question

Difficulty: Very hardSynonyms and Words Nearest in Meaning

Complete the sentence below by filling in the blank with the word nearest in meaning to the context of high-sounding, inflated, and excessively wordy language.

Answer:The diplomat's 【grandiloquent】 rhetoric, though full of ornate phrases and lofty declarations, failed to mask the underlying lack of substance in the proposal.

Answer

The word nearest in meaning that fits the context of ornate, inflated, and excessively wordy language is 'grandiloquent' (or accepted synonyms such as 'bombastic', 'magniloquent', 'prolix', or 'turgid').
The sentence emphasizes speech filled with 'ornate phrases' and 'lofty declarations' that ultimately lack substance. The terms 'grandiloquent', 'bombastic', and 'magniloquent' specifically mean using pompous or excessively high-flown language, perfectly fitting the sentence context.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the context clues within the sentence.
The sentence describes rhetoric characterized by 'ornate phrases', 'lofty declarations', and a 'lack of substance'.
Contextual clues indicate a word describing language that is overly high-sounding, pompous, or verbose.
2
Identify high-level vocabulary synonyms that fit this specific meaning.
'Grandiloquent' (as well as 'bombastic' or 'magniloquent') refers specifically to speech or writing that is extravagant, pompous, or inflated in style.
Selecting a precise contextual synonym demonstrates mastery of advanced lexis and vocabulary required for high-level assessment.

Key Concept

Contextual Synonyms and Advanced Lexis
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