Definitions

fulsome

[fool-suhm, fuhl-] / ˈfʊl səm, ˈfʌl- /

ADJECTIVE

sickening or excessive behavior

Synonyms

WEAK

adulatory bombastic buttery canting cloying coarse extravagant fawning flattering glib grandiloquent hypocritical immoderate ingratiating inordinate insincere magniloquent mealy-mouthed nauseating offensive oily oleaginous overdone saccharine sanctimonious slick slimy smarmy smooth suave sycophantic unctuous wheedling

Antonyms

WEAK

reasonable sincere

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But even where it did get mentioned onstage, the deck was stacked against a fulsome geopolitical debate.

From Slate • Mar. 27, 2026

On Monday, Summers issued a more fulsome apology.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 21, 2025

But it was far from a fulsome apology.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 17, 2025

The 60th anniversary of Canada's maple leaf flag might usually have passed without any royal intervention, but there was a fulsome message sent by the King, praising the "proud, resilient and compassionate country".

From BBC • Mar. 17, 2025

However, many people these days think fulsome means merely “full,” so avoid it if you might be misunderstood.

From "Woe Is I" by Patricia T. O'Conner

Vocabulary lists containing fulsome

Behave Yourself! Vocabulary for Good, Bad, and Indifferent Conduct

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

100 SAT Words Beginning with "F"

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Twelfth Night

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!