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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hot air
Convection ovens circulate hot air continuously, promoting more even cooking and enhanced browning.
—
Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2026
Those shallow sides let hot air from the oven circulate and crisp the ingredients’ exteriors.
—Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 30 Mar. 2026
This new pattern, which could push out a high pressure system that trapped hot air throughout the area for nearly two weeks, is set to bring moisture, breezy winds and even the possibility of thunder to the region.
—Hector Amezcua, Sacbee.com, 27 Mar. 2026
Our hot air highline dream began a decade earlier, in 2014, when my friend Lukas Irmler and I set out to break the record for the highest slackline above ground.
—Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hot air
Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2026
Those shallow sides let hot air from the oven circulate and crisp the ingredients’ exteriors.
—Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 30 Mar. 2026
This new pattern, which could push out a high pressure system that trapped hot air throughout the area for nearly two weeks, is set to bring moisture, breezy winds and even the possibility of thunder to the region.
—Hector Amezcua, Sacbee.com, 27 Mar. 2026
Our hot air highline dream began a decade earlier, in 2014, when my friend Lukas Irmler and I set out to break the record for the highest slackline above ground.
—Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hot air
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hot air
Noun
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Framed as a platform for addressing inequality, climate change and the rise of right-wing political movements, yet the rhetoric coming from it has raised questions in Washington and across the region about whether a more coordinated political counterweight to the United States is taking shape.—
Armando Regil Velasco,
FOXNews.com,
25 Apr. 2026
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People have been called pedants since the early modern period—pedante is a fifteenth-century Italian coinage for a professional teacher of Latin literature and rhetoric—but have been acting pedantically for millennia.—
Clare Bucknell,
The New York Review of Books,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
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His early career was marked by the sort of gasconade many fans of the NFL had come to adore and many MLB executives and players had come to loathe.—
Robert Klemko,
The MMQB,
13 July 2017
Noun
-
Humble brag; That turned out to be a stroke of genius on my part.—
Marc Silver,
NPR,
19 Apr. 2026
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However, the new Master Suites may overtake Silvers in popularity; their 721-to-826 square feet include brag-worthy 270-degree views.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The chatter did not test Murray’s patience.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
19 Apr. 2026
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For maximum comfort and quiet, Beats Studio Pro Over-ear Headphones deliver effective noise cancellation that noticeably reduces engine hum and cabin chatter, making movies, music, and podcasts far more enjoyable.—
Samantha Leal,
Travel + Leisure,
18 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Hammy magniloquence risks alienating viewers, not just for an evening but for life, as does obscurity.—
The Economist,
The Economist,
15 Mar. 2018
Noun
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On his SiriusXM show, while debating some of the greatest athletes of all time, a caller suggested NASCAR legend Richard Petty, and Smith launched into a rant.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
21 Apr. 2026
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Well, there are worse things to do with your guilt over saying something cruel in a drunken rant than throwing a very thoughtful 30th-birthday party, no?—
Jessica M. Goldstein,
Vulture,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hot air.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hot%20air. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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