CLAPTRAP Synonyms: 176 Similar and Opposite Words

claptrap 1 of 2

noun

ˈklap-ˌtrap

Definition of claptrap

as in nonsense

language, behavior, or ideas that are absurd and contrary to good sense the idea that you can get a cold from not dressing warmly is claptrap

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claptrap

2 of 2

adjective

as in mechanical

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of claptrap

Noun

Behavioral-analysis claptrap abounds. — Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 20 Mar. 2026 The show is also virtually devoid of romantic escapades, a good thing since Dumas’ novel is filled with a lot of sentimental claptrap about fighting for defenseless women’s honor or seducing virtuous maidens or going to war due to the physical beauty of a monarch. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 11 Mar. 2026 This is Spielberg at his most pure and sensational, an undiluted cinematic experience that lacks any of his sentimental claptrap and steers clear of his tendency for multiple endings. — Tim Grierson, Vulture, 20 June 2025 Many Red Sox fans have had it up to here with that building-for-the-future claptrap, so much so that expectations were scary low coming into the 2024 season. — Steve Buckley, The Athletic, 31 July 2024 See All Example Sentences for claptrap

Recent Examples of Synonyms for claptrap

Noun

The bloc also roped Canada into this nonsense, and recently asked Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to dial the generosity up a notch, according to Politico.

— Rachel Marsden, Hartford Courant, 29 Oct. 2026
The jokes and nonsense started almost as soon as the first rumors trickled out that Jay, whose company Roc Nation has executive-produced the Super Bowl halftime show since 2019, might be choosing himself to headline next year’s show.

— Simon Vozick-Levinson, Rolling Stone, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of nonsense

Adjective

No mechanical failure, operational error, or other contributing factor has been identified.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2026
Yao also thinks that there may be more promising sources of energy to harvest from than mechanical motion, which requires implantation in parts of the body where motion is constant.

— Edd Gent, IEEE Spectrum, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of mechanical

Noun

The growing garbage fire has warped a landfill hillside, which could potentially trigger and avalanche of garbage and leachate.

— Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
In the third, Brock Boeser and Jamie Oleksiak scored what seemed like garbage-time goals.

— Thomas Drance, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of garbage

Adjective

The fine was controversial to begin with, as fans and pundits pointed out the NFL’s business with beer sponsors such as Bud Light and called the sensitivity over the celebration hypocritical.

— Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Oct. 2026
In his appeal, Juszczyk also argued that fining players for pretending to drink beer was hypocritical given the NFL’s beer sponsorships.

— Rick Maese, Washington Post, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of hypocritical

Adjective

Its frothy, pastel hues and single moment of contrived levity (when one dance claims a trumpet solo for a joke about jamming her toe) is one of those quintessential examples of Balanchine’s repertoire showing its age.

— Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
More bills in the G-string, like winning, like a casino, chance but something deeper, more contrived.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of contrived

Noun

In a food processor, grind the nuts as finely as possible along with 1/4 cup/32 g of the flour.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 Oct. 2026
Pulverized into a fine powder and bloomed in butter with the aromatics, the corn nuts bring an earthy sweetness and seriously amp up the corn flavor.

— Rick Martinez, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of nuts

Adjective

Each seemingly meaningless twitch signals a bid worth between $50,000 and $100,000, depending on the auctioneer’s ask.

— Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2026
Employees were reportedly running AI agents on meaningless tasks to inflate their token count and climb an unofficial internal AI leaderboard called Kirorank.

— Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2026