as in hype
information released to the media that is designed to gain public attention or support for a person, business, or cause
the newspaper's local stories are often thinly disguised puffery for area businesses
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of puffery
This is where the focused music hall puffery of the production helps.
—
Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 22 Apr. 2024
That conclusion may sound preposterously quaint to some, unwelcome advice to a few, ridiculous puffery or an impossible goal to still others.
—David Baldacci, Peoplemag, 15 Apr. 2024
Most mentions of Florida were mere puffery, with little indication of what DeSantis intends to accomplish.
—Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun Sentinel Editorial Boards, Orlando Sentinel, 22 Feb. 2024
When the subject is not the movies but matters of the Middle East, the consequences of this sleight of hand are far graver than some dubious promotional puffery.
—Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2024
See All Example Sentences for puffery
Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 22 Apr. 2024
That conclusion may sound preposterously quaint to some, unwelcome advice to a few, ridiculous puffery or an impossible goal to still others.
—David Baldacci, Peoplemag, 15 Apr. 2024
Most mentions of Florida were mere puffery, with little indication of what DeSantis intends to accomplish.
—Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun Sentinel Editorial Boards, Orlando Sentinel, 22 Feb. 2024
When the subject is not the movies but matters of the Middle East, the consequences of this sleight of hand are far graver than some dubious promotional puffery.
—Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2024
See All Example Sentences for puffery
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puffery
Noun
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Unlike earlier tech booms, this surge is not about speculation and hype, but structural reinvention.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
28 Sep. 2025
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The actress and comedian was part of the event’s hype team before the players tee off.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
28 Sep. 2025
Noun
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From here on out, there will be publicity events, critics awards, and countless release-cycle media appearances, plus audience word of mouth, but nothing gooses a movie’s Oscar profile quite like a hot festival reception.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
25 Sep. 2025
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Under the law, publications regarding newsworthy events or matters of public interest are generally exempt from the publicity rights of the persons shown.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Programmatic advertising lets buyers target audiences based on demographics, shopping patterns or other attributes.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
1 Oct. 2025
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The company reportedly spent $25 million on the advertising deal Kidman is also the founder of her own production company, Blossom Films.—
Lea Veloso,
StyleCaster,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
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In the book, Shaw describes the subway grate scene featuring Monroe and actor Tom Ewell in The Seven Year Itch, and its subsequent image was his idea; however, the still image for the movie's advertisement was actually shot in a Los Angeles studio.—
Mark Gray,
PEOPLE,
26 Sep. 2025
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Also this week, your smart refrigerator may come with a new unwanted feature—advertisements.—
Li Goldstein,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
26 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Puffery.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puffery. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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