1
as in commotion
a state of noisy, confused activity
it turned out that the ballyhoo was the result of a movie being filmed on the street
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hype
information released to the media that is designed to gain public attention or support for a person, business, or cause
the usual ballyhoo intended to fill the seats at megaplexes around the country
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to advertise
to praise or publicize lavishly and often excessively
that reviewer always ballyhoos any book by one of his pet authors
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to promote
to provide publicity for
the TV networks usually spend the summer months ballyhooing their new fall shows
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 ballyhoo
Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 11 May 2025
There must be some dismay that Sunset Boulevard, starring an electrifying Nicole Scherzinger, which opened to much ballyhoo in NYC, has seen its attendance dip recently.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 14 Mar. 2025
Sean Woods, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ballyhoo
Noun
Here comes 72 hours of ballyhoo and bluster about the state of the television business.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 11 May 2025
There must be some dismay that Sunset Boulevard, starring an electrifying Nicole Scherzinger, which opened to much ballyhoo in NYC, has seen its attendance dip recently.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 14 Mar. 2025
Verb
Nuclear energy was ballyhooed back in the 1930s as a way to feed the world.
—Sean Woods, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ballyhoo
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ballyhoo
Noun
-
But these aren’t the only cups causing a commotion.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Actual Vancouverites barely stood by to watch the commotion.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
How to Watch UConn vs UMass Lowell The Huskies come into this one as heavy favorites, riding the momentum of an opening-night win and plenty of preseason hype.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Nov. 2025
-
While hype typically mounts around the release of Starbucks' holiday menu and collection, some people are saying they were let down by the lack of availability of the Bearista cup.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Authorities also seized a dozen web pages advertising the sale of dollars and euros at rates different from the official one by the central bank.—
Stefano Pozzebon,
CNN Money,
11 Nov. 2025
-
And whereas traditional oral supplements tend to be marketed as vectors for specific compounds, leaving users to mastermind their perfect mix, patches are usually cocktails that advertise their active ingredients less prominently.—
Yasmin Tayag,
The Atlantic,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Similarly, the Interstate Consortium for the Sustainable Development of the Legal Amazon Region brings together Amazonian states to curb deforestation, promote green agriculture and attract green investment.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Ausberry was promoted to the interim job in Woodward’s place, and the board gave him the authority to lead the coaching hire.—
Chris Vannini,
New York Times,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Kp is an index used to indicate the severity of the global magnetic disturbances in near-Earth space, NOAA said.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
7 Nov. 2025
-
This could result in noise disturbances late into the night.—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Roosevelt used his relationship with the press not just to gain publicity but also to deny it to adversaries.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Three decades on, Martin is invited to Ben’s lavish birthday party at the Fitzmaurice’s country pile, but Martin fears that the publicity of Ben’s bid for Conservative leader will dredge up the secrets of their past with tragic consequences.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Over the last five decades, artist and filmmaker Lynn Hershman Leeson has been internationally acclaimed for her art and films.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Prey remains the most critically acclaimed in the alien series at 94%.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Hong Kong — Qatar Airways will sell its stake in Cathay Pacific Airways for $896 million, ending its eight-year shareholding in Hong Kong’s flagship carrier.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
-
After its publication in 2019, the book sold two million copies and quickly became a favorite with high school and college kids.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ballyhoo.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ballyhoo. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share