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

Until recently, that would have sounded like absolute nonsense.

— Zach Harper, New York Times, 30 June 2026
There weren’t meetings with executives about tone and mood and all this nonsense.

— Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 29 June 2026

Definition of nonsense

Adjective

Driving through deep water can also damage a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.

— NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 10 July 2026
The skyscraper is being converted into apartments, which is a more complicated process than building one from scratch and requires extensive structural, plumbing and mechanical work.

— Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 9 July 2026

Definition of mechanical

Noun

Instead, rival parties united in dismissing his actions as a stunt, leaving his only opponent to be a garbage-can wearing comedian whose policies include forcing rule-breaking cyclists to ride unicycles.

— Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 9 July 2026
Using a plastic bag to collect the soil and disposing of it in the garbage — not green yard waste bins — will help to reduce the spread of airborne chemicals.

— Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026

Definition of garbage

Adjective

Or means that any comments are supposedly hypocritical.

— Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 June 2026
Earlier this month, Matsui’s campaign came after Vang for taking corporate donations from Sacramento-area businesses during her city council campaigns, implying that Vang’s vows to not accept money from corporate PACs in her congressional bid is hypocritical.

— Mathew Miranda June 4, Sacbee.com, 4 June 2026

Definition of hypocritical

Noun

Only construction waste will be accepted at the landfill such as, brush and rubbish, concrete, brick, rock, wood, paper, plastics, cardboard and roofing shingles and tiles.

— Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 July 2026
So where does the rubbish come from?

— Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 8 June 2026

Definition of rubbish

Adjective

The look manages to be on trend without being too contrived.

— Selene Oliva, Glamour, 12 June 2026
Whereas Heineman’s film used its incredible access to the central couple to capture moments that come across as beautifully and uncomfortably intimate and unstaged, Bergh (The Greatest Love Story Never Told) uses his access to make everything pretty and entirely too contrived.

— Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 9 June 2026

Definition of contrived

Noun

California is significant because the state supplies nearly half of the vegetables and more than three-quarters of the fruits and nuts eaten in the United States.

— Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 10 July 2026
Cashews and walnuts also contribute, alongside brazil nuts and pine nuts.

— Lauren Jarvis-Gibson July 9, Sacbee.com, 9 July 2026

Definition of nuts

Adjective

One sure focus is the rampant grade inflation that exaggerates student achievement and has made graduating high school close to meaningless as an indicator of college preparedness.

— U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 July 2026
This distinction between meaningful and meaningless data evokes signal versus noise, a communication concept formulated by the mathematician Claude Shannon.

— Michael Ashley, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026