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
Wind speed is the most important factor in hot air ballooning because balloons travel entirely with the wind and cannot be steered directly, per Rainbow Ryders.
—
Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2026
In the video, which was posted on YouTube, Perrin and his wife, Jenna, can be seen coming out of their home to discover a hot air balloon in their backyard.
—Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026
Daily hot air balloon rides are offered through several companies that provide an aerial look at the city's expansive wine country.
—Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 19 Apr. 2026
By my bedroom window, the radiator was puffing hot air.
—Shafiq Najib, ABC News, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hot air
Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2026
In the video, which was posted on YouTube, Perrin and his wife, Jenna, can be seen coming out of their home to discover a hot air balloon in their backyard.
—Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026
Daily hot air balloon rides are offered through several companies that provide an aerial look at the city's expansive wine country.
—Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 19 Apr. 2026
By my bedroom window, the radiator was puffing hot air.
—Shafiq Najib, ABC News, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hot air
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hot air
Noun
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And Bianco’s rhetoric about forcing changes in state law enforcement — especially on immigration — without the cooperation of Democratic supermajorities in the Legislature is authoritarian nonsense.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 May 2026
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In Starmer’s first year in office, his team sought to head off Reform’s surge by appealing to right-wing voters with tougher rhetoric and policies on immigration.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
8 May 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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Humble brag; That turned out to be a stroke of genius on my part.—
Marc Silver,
NPR,
19 Apr. 2026
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However, the new Master Suites may overtake Silvers in popularity; their 721-to-826 square feet include brag-worthy 270-degree views.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The chatter among party elites appears at odds with recent polling in Harris’ favor, including in April’s Harvard Center for American Political Studies/Harris Poll, which showed Harris leading the Democratic field with support from 50% of Democrats.—
Justine McDaniel,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2026
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Student chatter on social media fluctuated between some commenters upset that their tests or assignments would be canceled and others planning beach days in light of the system being down.—
Caleb Lunetta,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 May 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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Brown was previously fined $35,000 in January after a two-minute postgame rant about the officiating following Boston's loss to San Antonio.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
5 May 2026
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Kidd would have to torpedo his extended sit-down conversations with Ujiri to lose this job; think full-on QAnon-level conspiracy rants about the NBA, society, and the real reason why traffic in DFW is so bad is because of the government.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hot air.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hot%20air. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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