verb
pontificate
pahn-TIF-ih-kayt/pɑːnˈtɪfɪkeɪt/
To express opinions pompously as if unquestionably correct.
He pontificates about politics as though no one could disagree.
Etymology
Acting as a pontiff shifted from performing religious functions to assuming grand authority and issuing dogmatic pronouncements. That figurative shift produced the sense of speaking pompously as though one’s opinions were beyond challenge.
In context
fancy diplomats who have you know seven course dinners in in you know in luxurious places while people are dying at the front lines and who who pontificate about how Russia should withdraw
More examples
- She pontificated on nutrition while dismissing every question from the audience.
- Instead of listening, he keeps pontificating about what everyone should do.
- You don't need to pontificate whenever someone asks your opinion.
Forms
pontificate · pontificates · pontificated · pontificating
pontification noun — The pompous expression of supposedly unquestionable opinions.