1 turgid | Definition of turgid

turgid

adjective
tur·​gid | \ ˈtÉ™r-jÉ™d How to pronounce turgid (audio) \

Definition of turgid

1 : excessively embellished in style or language : bombastic, pompous turgid prose
2 : being in a state of distension : swollen, tumid turgid limbs especially : exhibiting turgor

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Other Words from turgid

turgidity \ ËŒtÉ™r-​ˈji-​dÉ™-​tÄ“ How to pronounce turgidity (audio) \ noun
turgidly \ ˈtÉ™r-​jÉ™d-​lÄ“ How to pronounce turgidly (audio) \ adverb
turgidness noun

Examples of turgid in a Sentence

turgid leeches having had their fill of blood

Recent Examples on the Web

Like two other influential professors, John Dewey and Thorstein Veblen, both of whom were his exact contemporaries, Boas was a turgid writer. Louis Menand, The New Yorker, "How Cultural Anthropologists Redefined Humanity," 19 Aug. 2019 Like many Chinese Communist leaders of his era, Mr. Li revealed little of himself, usually reading from turgid official scripts in public. Chris Buckley, BostonGlobe.com, "Li Peng, Chinese leader derided for role in Tiananmen crackdown, dies at 90," 23 July 2019 After a turgid opening, the game sprang to life in the 13th minute, as Rodrigo Palacio danced his way into the Milan penalty area, before jabbing a tentative shot at goal that was well blocked by Cristián Zapata. SI.com, "Bologna 1-2 AC Milan: Rossoneri Survive Late Scare From Rossoblu to End Barren Winless Run," 29 Apr. 2018 The stars were misaligned from the start for this frantic, turgid thriller. Joe Morgenstern, WSJ, "‘The Girl in the Spider’s Web: A New Dragon Tattoo Story’ Review: Blurred Tats," 8 Nov. 2018 After an open start, the game settled into a turgid affair with neither team looking particularly threatening. SI.com, "Antoine Griezmann Shines as Atletico Madrid Returns to Winning Ways," 11 Mar. 2018 That turgid style appears to be incrementally changing in the wake of Diaz-Canel becoming president in April. Washington Post, "Cuba slightly loosens controls on state media," 22 June 2018 That turgid style appears to be incrementally changing in the wake of Mr. Diaz-Canel becoming president in April. Andrea Rodriguez, The Christian Science Monitor, "Cuba loosens grip on media, allows for more independent reporting," 21 June 2018 Formed in 1968, Josephus foreshadowed heavy metal with the turgid riffs, brutal-but-sparse rhythms, and wildman vocals across their 1970 debut, Dead Man. Leor Galil, Chicago Reader, "Houston proto-metal misfits Josefus make a rare trip to Chicago," 21 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'turgid.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of turgid

1620, in the meaning defined at sense 2

History and Etymology for turgid

Latin turgidus, from turgēre to be swollen

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More Definitions for turgid

turgid

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of turgid

formal
disapproving : very complicated and difficult to understand
: larger or fuller than normal because of swelling

turgid

adjective
tur·​gid | \ ˈtÉ™r-jÉ™d How to pronounce turgid (audio) \

Medical Definition of turgid

: being in a normal or abnormal state of distension : swollen, tumid turgid limbs turgid living cells

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More from Merriam-Webster on turgid

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for turgid

Spanish Central: Translation of turgid

Nglish: Translation of turgid for Spanish Speakers