as in nonsense
language, behavior, or ideas that are absurd and contrary to good sense
a combat veteran himself, he could not believe the balderdash he was hearing from whippersnappers with no war experience at all
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Recent Examples of balderdash
All the balderdash about speaking truth to power is just that.
—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 11 June 2026
Others might say balderdash and think no way.
—Kirk Bohls, Houston Chronicle, 25 Mar. 2026
Kennedy has elevated threats to the livelihoods of scientists who have resisted his brand of balderdash from the implicit to the explicit.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 19 Nov. 2024
While schools do exist in rough tiers of selectivity, size, excellence, prestige and so forth, the idea of precise rankings is balderdash.
—David M. Perry, CNN, 14 Sep. 2022
With that in mind, the experts look at Cannon’s decision and see balderdash everywhere.
—Jason Linkins, The New Republic, 12 Sep. 2022
Declaring himself a victim is not just hyperbole or balderdash.
—Robin Givhan, Washington Post, 9 Aug. 2022
Sorry to say, that is unmitigated balderdash and completely misleading.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2021
The popular myth of important artists being neglected in their lifetimes is for the most part balderdash.
—Peter Schjeldahl, The New Yorker, 19 July 2021
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 11 June 2026
Others might say balderdash and think no way.
—Kirk Bohls, Houston Chronicle, 25 Mar. 2026
Kennedy has elevated threats to the livelihoods of scientists who have resisted his brand of balderdash from the implicit to the explicit.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 19 Nov. 2024
While schools do exist in rough tiers of selectivity, size, excellence, prestige and so forth, the idea of precise rankings is balderdash.
—David M. Perry, CNN, 14 Sep. 2022
With that in mind, the experts look at Cannon’s decision and see balderdash everywhere.
—Jason Linkins, The New Republic, 12 Sep. 2022
Declaring himself a victim is not just hyperbole or balderdash.
—Robin Givhan, Washington Post, 9 Aug. 2022
Sorry to say, that is unmitigated balderdash and completely misleading.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2021
The popular myth of important artists being neglected in their lifetimes is for the most part balderdash.
—Peter Schjeldahl, The New Yorker, 19 July 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for balderdash
Noun
-
The only way real barriers to non-factory service could be required to work on a ladder-frame gas-engine truck would be if the automaker intentionally loaded it with proprietary nonsense.—
Andrew P. Collins,
The Drive,
11 June 2026
-
Yet more arrant nonsense, coming from someone who has repeatedly been cited for spreading vaccine misinformation.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
Every campsite has a bear-resistant food locker, and visitors are being reminded to store food, garbage and other attractants properly.—
Spencer Wilson,
CBS News,
14 June 2026
-
While the Doral incinerator used to burn about half of the county’s daily trash supply, Miami-Dade is now using trucks and trains to send its garbage to landfills across Florida.—
Douglas Hanks
June 11,
Miami Herald,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
Tawny Port spends years in barrel, picking up notes of caramel, nuts, and toffee along the way.—
Emily Price,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
-
Pairing them with a meal containing some fat, even avocado toast or yogurt with nuts, makes a real difference.—
Allison Palmer
Updated June 13,
Sacbee.com,
13 June 2026
Noun
-
So where does the rubbish come from?—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Footwear News,
8 June 2026
-
With no petrol to run dustbin trucks, rubbish is being burnt in the streets.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
But what pushed the situation from the realm of silliness to sinister was a US operation to seize Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife from their home in Caracas on January 3, 2026.—
Joshua Hunt,
Vanity Fair,
17 June 2026
-
On one hand, this is silliness; Swift barely even lived here.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
Final negotiations on ‘Peace’ are proceeding, subject to ignorance or stupidity getting in its way.—
Ananya Chetia,
CNBC,
8 June 2026
-
Don’t just try to be brilliant; focus on avoiding stupidity.—
Nilton Bernini,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
Best Fashion Deals If your summer wardrobe is feeling a little blah, Amazon’s Outlet fashion deals are the perfect place for a refresh.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
4 June 2026
-
There’s also the logical blah blah that a sequel is good for the greater franchise ecosystem, read viewers will rewatch Star Wars movies on Disney+, etc.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
25 May 2026
Noun
-
At the same time, the plants unable to detect the molecular signature of the caterpillar’s drool were largely ignored by the wasps.—
Jacek Krywko,
ArsTechnica,
3 June 2026
-
Hicks can take advantage of the matchup and cash his home run prop at drool-inducing +700 odds.—
Josh Shepardson,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Balderdash.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/balderdash. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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