charlatanry

noun

char·​la·​tan·​ry ˈshär-lə-tən-ˌrē How to pronounce charlatanry (audio)
variants or less commonly charlatanery
ˈshär-lə-tən-ˌrē
¦shär-lə-¦tan-(ə-)rē
or charlatanerie
ˈshär-lə-tən-ˌrē
¦shär-lə-¦tan-(ə-)rē
ˌshär-lə-ˌtan-(ə-)ˈrē
plural -es
1
: the practice of a charlatan : quackery, imposture
a man given to absurd freaks of intellectual charlatanryP. E. More
2
: an act or instance of charlatanry

The Ultimate Dictionary Awaits

Expand your vocabulary and dive deeper into language with Merriam-Webster Unabridged.

  1. Expanded definitions
  2. Detailed etymologies
  3. Advanced search tools
  4. All ad-free

Discover what makes Merriam-Webster Unabridged the essential choice for true word lovers.

Start Your Free Trial Now

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Charlatanry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/charlatanry. Accessed 14 Dec. 2025.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!