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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in mechanical
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of claptrap
George Skelton, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 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
Mostly Rivas gets rid of distracting racist, sexist or classist claptrap in the script, annoyances that have nothing to do with its plot.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 27 Mar. 2024
That meant rolling home with bloody scrapes full of gravel past old farmhouses cheap enough for mailmen and jazz musicians to buy, build claptrap chicken coops and grow weed in the backyard.
—Daniel Duane, New York Times, 30 May 2023
See All Example Sentences for claptrap
Adjective
Third, despite Trump’s claptrap, plenty of fresh delta water is being pumped south to fill fire hydrants and the tanks of firefighting aircraft.
—George Skelton, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 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
Mostly Rivas gets rid of distracting racist, sexist or classist claptrap in the script, annoyances that have nothing to do with its plot.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 27 Mar. 2024
That meant rolling home with bloody scrapes full of gravel past old farmhouses cheap enough for mailmen and jazz musicians to buy, build claptrap chicken coops and grow weed in the backyard.
—Daniel Duane, New York Times, 30 May 2023
See All Example Sentences for claptrap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for claptrap
Noun
-
Reid, who would know, says that’s nonsense.—
Brian Hiatt,
Rolling Stone,
24 Sep. 2025
-
Not to mention the Epstein files nonsense.—
Nick Mordowanec,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Driving through deep water can also affect a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
29 Sep. 2025
-
By overcoming these hurdles, the researchers significantly improved both the mechanical stability and electromagnetic performance of the magnet.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Near my hotel, a few blocks from the Torre K23, there were several dumpsters overflowing with garbage.—
Jon Lee Anderson,
New Yorker,
29 Sep. 2025
-
There's a different take on a post apocalyptic universe where the world is made of plastic and not garbage.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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However, his latest mistake is very hypocritical and raises some questions about double standards in his coaching.—
Drew VonScio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
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Most of these hypocritical legislators are near the completion of their involvement in the Capitol thanks to term limits.—
John Moorlach,
Oc Register,
22 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Just one or two nuts can cover your daily needs.—
Morgan Pearson,
Verywell Health,
1 Oct. 2025
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Spoon any topping and nuts in pan onto loaf.—
Katlyn Moncada,
Better Homes & Gardens,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Locating and identifying seabed rubbish that's prime for removal is undertaken via onboard sonar and a vision camera, plus AI processing, to help the robot recognize trash and determine where best to grab on.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
23 Sep. 2025
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My pile begins as a load of raw if purposeful rubbish, a rough draft that with time and effort is refined into a finished product put to immediate use.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Advertisement Scheming currently appears to be mostly limited to contrived test scenarios.—
Tharin Pillay,
Time,
18 Sep. 2025
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And its absurd moments feel far less contrived (and therefore, less cringey) than its contemporaries.—
Sam Reed,
Glamour,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The American Kennel Club (AKC) highlights their muscular physique and their confidence among the canine world, but that’s not without a certain level of silliness and goofiness too.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
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What really makes Dog Man special, though, is how Pilkey’s trademark mix of absurd silliness and surprising sincerity shines through.—
Travis Bean,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Claptrap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/claptrap. Accessed 4 Oct. 2025.
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