To pontificate is to make ones opinions and knowledge known in an obnoxious or pompous manner. One might say, "I was running late, so my boss began to pontificate about office ethics."

The suffix in "pontificate" is "-ate." It is added to the base word "pontif" to form the verb "pontificate," which means to speak or behave in a pompous or dogmatic manner, especially on a topic one claims to be knowledgeable about.

My husband loves to pontificate on any subject, regardless of whether or not he knows what he's talking about.

pontificate

Listen or inquire.