name-dropping
noun
name-drop·ping
ˈnām-ˌdrä-piŋ 
: the studied but seemingly casual mention of prominent persons as associates done to impress others
Examples of name-dropping in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Her book includes some dishy name-dropping too, from Tom Cruise to Marilyn Monroe.
—
Liz McNeil, People.com, 29 Apr. 2025
But name-dropping and seemingly endless wealth does not a happy life make.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2025
This is a good sort of name-dropping, because Nvidia Blackwell is powering everything but the kitchen sink.
—John Werner, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
The conversation consisted of him endlessly name-dropping and asking zero questions about me.
—Kathlene Linehan, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2025
However, effective personalization isn’t simply about name-dropping or referencing a recent post.
—Samuel Darwin, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
And although the memoir isn’t as heavy on showbiz anecdote as might be expected, much of the name-dropping may yet surface in the second book.
—Alexander Larman, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 29 Nov. 2024
Beyond the impressive name-dropping and pedigree — his aunt and uncle are writers Joan Didion and John Gregory Dunne — Dunne, 69, has a gift for storytelling.
—Brooke Lefferts, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 June 2024
His reckless name-dropping about events that are pure fiction and simply did not happen is nothing more than a transparent attempt to garner headlines.
—Kimi Robinson, USA TODAY, 24 May 2024
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Liz McNeil, People.com, 29 Apr. 2025
But name-dropping and seemingly endless wealth does not a happy life make.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2025
This is a good sort of name-dropping, because Nvidia Blackwell is powering everything but the kitchen sink.
—John Werner, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
The conversation consisted of him endlessly name-dropping and asking zero questions about me.
—Kathlene Linehan, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2025
However, effective personalization isn’t simply about name-dropping or referencing a recent post.
—Samuel Darwin, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
And although the memoir isn’t as heavy on showbiz anecdote as might be expected, much of the name-dropping may yet surface in the second book.
—Alexander Larman, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 29 Nov. 2024
Beyond the impressive name-dropping and pedigree — his aunt and uncle are writers Joan Didion and John Gregory Dunne — Dunne, 69, has a gift for storytelling.
—Brooke Lefferts, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 June 2024
His reckless name-dropping about events that are pure fiction and simply did not happen is nothing more than a transparent attempt to garner headlines.
—Kimi Robinson, USA TODAY, 24 May 2024
Cite this Entry
“Name-dropping.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/name-dropping. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
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