more heat than light

phrase

used to say that something or someone causes anger without making something (such as an issue under discussion) better understood
Her inflammatory speech generated/produced more heat than light on the topic.
The provocative new book generates more heat than light.

Cite this Entry

“More heat than light.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/more%20heat%20than%20light. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster