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
On Sunday, June 15, a hot air balloon carrying Indonesian tourists was impacted by a change of wind.
—
Sam Gillette, People.com, 16 June 2025
And then, in a more whimsical, fantastical register: Why not a hot air balloon or even a zeppelin?
—Nicole Trilivas, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
This hot air popper can make up to 18 cups of popcorn in under three minutes.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 13 June 2025
Highlights are helicopter rides, tethered hot air balloon rides, drag racing, demolition derby and an Indian River Olde Time Lumberjack Show in addition to the fireworks.
—Kaitlyn Keegan, Hartford Courant, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for hot air
Sam Gillette, People.com, 16 June 2025
And then, in a more whimsical, fantastical register: Why not a hot air balloon or even a zeppelin?
—Nicole Trilivas, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
This hot air popper can make up to 18 cups of popcorn in under three minutes.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 13 June 2025
Highlights are helicopter rides, tethered hot air balloon rides, drag racing, demolition derby and an Indian River Olde Time Lumberjack Show in addition to the fireworks.
—Kaitlyn Keegan, Hartford Courant, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for hot air
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hot air
Noun
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About four in 10 LGBTQ+ youth seriously consider suicide every year, according to the Trevor Project’s 2024 annual survey; meanwhile, 90% of LGBTQ+ youth said increasing political rhetoric targeting the community had negatively affected their mental health.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
18 July 2025
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His tirades against Ukraine stood out for their bloodthirsty rhetoric.—
Simon Shuster,
Time,
17 July 2025
Noun
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There’s a whole new tone and dynamism to LinkedIn: more human, less not-so-humble brag.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
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Archetypal playboy Eddie Irvine has always loved a humble brag, renowned for accumulating a long list boys toys assets after following a successful F1 career.—
Julia Zaltzman,
Robb Report,
24 May 2025
Noun
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There was the usual chatter about 'whether to rest the starters or not', but they good guys weren't going to lay down and hand those cocky Patriots a 16-0 record.—
Geoffrey Knox,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 July 2025
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The Broadway producer also responds and then shuts down the recent social media chatter about the years-old debacle.—
John Lawson,
Essence,
10 July 2025
Noun
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Back in Iron Lake, Dexter’s physical therapist’s rant about how crazy the world is conveniently includes mention of a body found in New York that had been chopped up into nine pieces and stuffed in garbage bags.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
11 July 2025
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In a lengthy rant posted to Truth Social, Trump threatened to use the Department of Government Efficiency against its former leader to reevaluate Musk's government aid.—
Meredith Kile,
People.com,
1 July 2025
Noun
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The Biden-era Inflation Reduction Act overemphasized renewable energy over oil and gas.—
Ariel Cohen,
Forbes.com,
20 July 2025
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The oil and gas industry, which has averaged nearly $3 billion in profit per day, could have covered those losses without breaking a sweat.—
Chris Lee,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hot air.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hot%20air. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.
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