1
as in rhetoric
boastful speech or writing
his taking credit for the rescue was mostly hot air, since the boat was actually saved by the Coast Guard
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2
as in wind
language that is impressive-sounding but not meaningful or sincere
her campaign promise to "fight for the people" showed a taste for stale hot air
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hot air
Rather than blowing hot air or pressing heated plates onto your head, a thermal brush uses infrared heat to warm the hair from the inside out.
—
Nena Farrell, Wired News, 20 June 2025
The hypocaust, an ancient system of central heating that circulated hot air beneath the floors of the house, signals a level of luxury atypical for rural estates in Roman Gaul.
—Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 June 2025
Aircraft Accidents and Disasters USA TODAY At least eight people were killed when a hot air balloon crashed in Brazil, authorities said on June 21.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 21 June 2025
The fire occurred in the skies of Praia Grande — a municipality in the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil, and a popular destination for hot air ballooning — on the morning of Saturday, June 21, according to Jorginho Mello, the state’s governor.
—Bailey Richards, People.com, 21 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for hot air
Nena Farrell, Wired News, 20 June 2025
The hypocaust, an ancient system of central heating that circulated hot air beneath the floors of the house, signals a level of luxury atypical for rural estates in Roman Gaul.
—Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 June 2025
Aircraft Accidents and Disasters USA TODAY At least eight people were killed when a hot air balloon crashed in Brazil, authorities said on June 21.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 21 June 2025
The fire occurred in the skies of Praia Grande — a municipality in the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil, and a popular destination for hot air ballooning — on the morning of Saturday, June 21, according to Jorginho Mello, the state’s governor.
—Bailey Richards, People.com, 21 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for hot air
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hot air
Noun
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Concerns over antisemitic rhetoric and vandalism didn’t even tighten the race.—
Sara Forman,
New York Daily News,
8 July 2025
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Trump also targeted Canada in his rhetoric, suggesting the country could become the 51st state in the U.S.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
8 July 2025
Noun
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There’s a whole new tone and dynamism to LinkedIn: more human, less not-so-humble brag.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
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Archetypal playboy Eddie Irvine has always loved a humble brag, renowned for accumulating a long list boys toys assets after following a successful F1 career.—
Julia Zaltzman,
Robb Report,
24 May 2025
Noun
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There was a lot of chatter about taxes and changes to the tax system for colleges.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
4 July 2025
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Both players are near the top of their respective positions, but there was a lot of chatter regarding Fitzpatrick.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 July 2025
Noun
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For example, the first crack in the Republican edifice was the advent of the Tea Party Movement, one of whose tenets was tough fiscal responsibility, as inspired by a ‘Chicago Tea Party’ rant from CNBC commentator Rick Santelli in 2009.—
Mike O'Sullivan,
Forbes.com,
28 June 2025
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Devers was upset when Breslow requested him to change positions again and went on a rant to reporters.—
Aaliyan Mohammed,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 June 2025
Noun
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Oil and gas stocks fell after the OPEC+ alliance on Saturday agreed to a bigger-than-expected production increase.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
8 July 2025
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And these particular reservoirs of oil and gas worked their way upward through layers of rock until they became enmeshed in the sandstone.—
Camila Domonoske,
NPR,
8 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hot air.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hot%20air. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.
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