1
as in rhetoric
boastful speech or writing
his taking credit for the rescue was mostly hot air, since the boat was actually saved by the Coast Guard
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in wind
language that is impressive-sounding but not meaningful or sincere
her campaign promise to "fight for the people" showed a taste for stale hot air
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hot air
That ink or chocolate stain may never come out once your favorite shirt is blasted by hot air.
—
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 26 Jan. 2026
There will also be fun Cajun activities like a hot air balloon glow, a crawfish boil, live music by the Spazmatics, a King Cake eating contest, food trucks, shopping and fireworks.
—Alyson Rodriguez, Dallas Morning News, 23 Jan. 2026
Less noticeable but still important is a large air outlet above the rear number plate that will surely extra hot air from the engine compartment.
—Joel Feder, The Drive, 22 Jan. 2026
Sealing the cracks and openings in a home is like closing a pipe of hot air that funnels all that warmth outside.
—Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hot air
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 26 Jan. 2026
There will also be fun Cajun activities like a hot air balloon glow, a crawfish boil, live music by the Spazmatics, a King Cake eating contest, food trucks, shopping and fireworks.
—Alyson Rodriguez, Dallas Morning News, 23 Jan. 2026
Less noticeable but still important is a large air outlet above the rear number plate that will surely extra hot air from the engine compartment.
—Joel Feder, The Drive, 22 Jan. 2026
Sealing the cracks and openings in a home is like closing a pipe of hot air that funnels all that warmth outside.
—Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hot air
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hot air
Noun
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That rhetoric has been replaced by a basic long-leash Republicanism — a shift that may be unsurprising with a dealmaker in the Oval Office, but has disappointed progressives and hardcore populists and sent legal sherpas scrambling to freshen their advice.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
14 Feb. 2026
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My approach combines conservative principles with practical solutions, delivering measurable results—not rhetoric.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
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His early career was marked by the sort of gasconade many fans of the NFL had come to adore and many MLB executives and players had come to loathe.—
Robert Klemko,
The MMQB,
13 July 2017
Noun
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The infamous length of Infinite Jest is, in this sense, a central feature of its ethic: not bigness as brag but duration as discipline.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
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Important to remember Epstein was known brag about his associations with wealthy and powerful people.—
Julie K. Brown,
Miami Herald,
18 Dec. 2025
Noun
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After the Patriots lost to the Seahawks in Super Bowl LX, there apparently was quite a bit of chatter among Bills fans on social media.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
13 Feb. 2026
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Bella was more interested in the chatter around the film.—
Rachel Handler,
Vulture,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Hammy magniloquence risks alienating viewers, not just for an evening but for life, as does obscurity.—
The Economist,
The Economist,
15 Mar. 2018
Noun
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Hopefully, this rant has given you a mental break from your mundane morning, for better or worse.—
Jerry Perez,
The Drive,
19 Feb. 2026
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There were tarantula photoshoots; there were botched makeovers; there were viral rants that have since come to define the genre.—
Emma Banks,
InStyle,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hot air.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hot%20air. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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