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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in mechanical
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of claptrap
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
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
See All Example Sentences for claptrap
Noun
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
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
See All Example Sentences for claptrap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for claptrap
Noun
-
Not only is that nonsense, but Israel took this into account.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
17 June 2026
-
Get outta here with that nonsense.—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
15 June 2026
Adjective
-
Driving through deep water can also negatively affect a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 June 2026
-
Of the two teams Genesis fielded, one was forced out early due to mechanical issues, but the other team finished, placing 13th in a field of 62 (though not all teams finished the race).—
Scotty Reiss,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
Noun
-
Take Out the Trash Empty garbage bins and recycling from all rooms—not just the kitchen and bath—and don’t forget special receptacles like compost, diaper pails, and litter boxes.—
Kristina McGuirk,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 June 2026
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In her own yard, Mingrone has learned that cracked lids on garbage containers allow water to pool after a rain, setting up a major breeding ground.—
Brenda Goodman,
CNN Money,
19 June 2026
Adjective
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There are few things in this world more sanctimonious and hypocritical than left-wing sportswriters getting on their faux moral high horse.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
15 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
Noun
-
So where does the rubbish come from?—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Footwear News,
8 June 2026
-
With no petrol to run dustbin trucks, rubbish is being burnt in the streets.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
31 May 2026
Adjective
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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
Noun
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Her lab has found even modest additions to the diet — a handful of nuts or an avocado — can enrich certain beneficial bacteria over the course of a few weeks.—
Will Stone,
NPR,
22 June 2026
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Including foods like avocado, olive oil, nuts, or seeds can make your meal more satisfying and may also stimulate digestion.—
Morgan Pearson,
Verywell Health,
22 June 2026
Adjective
-
Relatively meaningless but still badass.—
Asha Dore,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
-
At its core, unlike those meaningless marketing terms, ‘regenerative,’ when used responsibly, is legitimately full of deep meaning and has the potential to make significant human and environmental change when adopted at scale.—
Andrew Watman,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Claptrap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/claptrap. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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