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Pontificate vs Grandstand - What's the difference?

pontificate | grandstand |

In intransitive terms the difference between pontificate and grandstand

is that pontificate is to speak in a patronizing, supercilious or pompous manner, especially at length while grandstand is to behave dramatically or showily to impress an audience or observers; to pander to a crowd.

pontificate

English

Etymology 1

From (etyl) pontificatus, from .

Noun

(en noun)
  • The state or term of office of a pontiff or pontifex.
  • Etymology 2

    From the past participle stem of mediaeval (etyl) .

    Verb

    (pontificat)
  • To preside as a bishop, especially at mass.
  • To act like a pontiff; to express one’s position or opinions dogmatically and pompously as if they were absolutely correct.
  • To speak in a patronizing, supercilious or pompous manner, especially at length.
  • * 2007 , New York Times
  • During a policy discussion awhile back about New York issues, when Mr. Clinton began to pontificate , she told him that he did not exactly know what he was talking about and to hush up.

    grandstand

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • The seating area at a stadium or arena; the bleachers.
  • The audience at a public event.
  • Verb

    (en verb)
  • To behave dramatically or showily to impress an audience or observers; to pander to a crowd.
  • :Many politicians prefer to grandstand on hot-button issues rather than enact tough policy changes.