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
By using hot air, the two layers bond, birthing slight irregularities on the knit surface in the process.
—
Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 16 Jan. 2026
Over time, the gasket can become dry and cracked, allowing hot air to enter the fridge.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 10 Jan. 2026
Although the project administrators will provide most of the material in the form of new ripstop nylon kite fabric, some of it will be recycled from an old hot air balloon donated for this purpose.
—Beth Lipoff, Kansas City Star, 9 Jan. 2026
Just hot air and red meat to the bases of the political parties.
—Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 1 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hot air
Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 16 Jan. 2026
Over time, the gasket can become dry and cracked, allowing hot air to enter the fridge.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 10 Jan. 2026
Although the project administrators will provide most of the material in the form of new ripstop nylon kite fabric, some of it will be recycled from an old hot air balloon donated for this purpose.
—Beth Lipoff, Kansas City Star, 9 Jan. 2026
Just hot air and red meat to the bases of the political parties.
—Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 1 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hot air
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hot air
Noun
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As Sweden’s canon debate attests, such rhetoric remains part of the global right-wing playbook.—
Colton Valentine,
New Yorker,
24 Jan. 2026
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But his other harsh rhetoric in relation to the Arctic territory and NATO allies is still reverberating across the alliance.—
Lauren Kent,
CNN Money,
24 Jan. 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
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Important to remember Epstein was known brag about his associations with wealthy and powerful people.—
Julie K. Brown,
Miami Herald,
18 Dec. 2025
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The entertainment industry is no stranger to individuals who espouse contested stories about screen hits, but the producers of Legacy of Lies have grown tired of his brags.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
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There was some chatter about Alshon’s over-poaching in the final, but sometimes a super-dominant male strategy works.—
Todd Boss,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
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Still, his worst game of the year — a four-interception outing in a Week 10 loss to the Rams — again prompted chatter about his ability to perform in the biggest games.—
Peter Sblendorio,
Hartford Courant,
26 Jan. 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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Toward the end of his rant about Greenland, that is what Lavrov promised that Russia would do.—
Simon Shuster,
The Atlantic,
21 Jan. 2026
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Meanwhile, skepticism has grown across the nation, with Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey using an expletive-ridden rant to discount the federal government's narrative.—
Austin Turner,
CBS News,
19 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hot air.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hot%20air. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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