Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense pontificates, present participle pontificating, past tense, past participle pontificatedpronunciation note: The verb is pronounced (pɒntɪfɪkeɪt). The noun is pronounced (pɒntɪfɪkət).
1. verb
If someone pontificatesabout something, they state their opinions as if they are the only correct ones and nobody could possibly argue against them.
[formal]
Politicians like to pontificate about falling standards. [V + about/on]
[Also VERB]
Synonyms: expound, preach, sound off, pronounce More Synonyms of pontificate
2. countable noun
The pontificate of a pope is the period of time during which he is pope.
Pope Formosus died after a pontificate of four and a half years.
pontificate in British English
verb (pɒnˈtɪfɪˌkeɪt)(intransitive)
1.
to speak or behave in a pompous or dogmatic manner
Also (less commonly): pontify (ˈpɒntɪˌfaɪ)
2.
to serve or officiate as a pontiff, esp in celebrating a Pontifical Mass
noun (pɒnˈtɪfɪkɪt)
3.
the office or term of office of a pontiff, now usually the pope
pontificate in American English
(pɑnˈtɪfɪkɪt; pɑnˈtɪfɪˌkeɪt; for v., pɑnˈtɪfɪˌkeɪt)
noun
1.
the office, or term of office, of a pontiff
verb intransitiveWord forms: ponˈtifiˌcated or ponˈtifiˌcating
2.
to officiate as a pontiff
3.
to speak or act in a pompous or dogmatic way
Derived forms
pontificator (ponˈtifiˌcator)
noun
Word origin
L pontificatus < pontifex: see pontiff
Examples of 'pontificate' in a sentence
pontificate
It was just that she'd never done anything to earn the right to pontificate.
Richard Francis PROSPECT HILL (2003)
No, certainly I mustn't play the mystical seer and pontificate as if I knew all the answers!
Howatch, Susan ABSOLUTE TRUTHS (2003)
Richard swallowed his mouthful, leaned back in his seat and polished his glasses in a parody of the learned academics who pontificate on TV.
Val McDermid KICK BACK (2003)
(verb)
Definition
to speak in a dogmatic manner
Politicians like to pontificate about falling standards.
Synonyms
expound
preach
a humble man who preaches the word of God
sound off
pronounce
declaim
He used to declaim verse to us with immense energy.
lay down the law
traditional parents who believed in laying down the law for their offspring
hold forth
He is capable of holding forth with great eloquence.
dogmatize
pontify
Additional synonyms
in the sense of declaim
Definition
to speak loudly and dramatically
He used to declaim verse to us with immense energy.
Synonyms
speak,
lecture,
proclaim,
recite,
rant,
harangue,
hold forth,
spiel (informal),
orate,
perorate
in the sense of hold forth
Definition
to speak for a long time
He is capable of holding forth with great eloquence.
Synonyms
speak,
go on,
discourse,
lecture,
preach,
spout (informal),
harangue,
declaim,
spiel (informal),
descant,
orate,
speechify,
korero (New Zealand)
in the sense of lay down the law
traditional parents who believed in laying down the law for their offspring