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
Relevance
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
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 hot air
The first official form of human flight, hot air ballooning emerged in France in 1783.
—
Shauna Farnell, Denver Post, 25 May 2026
This is, in part, because hot air can hold more water, and hot seas fuel stronger hurricanes.
—Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 23 May 2026
The Culinary Chef Electric Popcorn Maker is a countertop unit that pops corn using hot air rather than oil.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 20 May 2026
The convection fan also allows an air fryer to significantly reduce cooking time by ensuring the food is surrounded by hot air.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for hot air
Shauna Farnell, Denver Post, 25 May 2026
This is, in part, because hot air can hold more water, and hot seas fuel stronger hurricanes.
—Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 23 May 2026
The Culinary Chef Electric Popcorn Maker is a countertop unit that pops corn using hot air rather than oil.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 20 May 2026
The convection fan also allows an air fryer to significantly reduce cooking time by ensuring the food is surrounded by hot air.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for hot air
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hot air
Noun
-
Markets have been whipsawed by the abrupt turns in rhetoric, but hopes that a ceasefire extension helped drive stocks toward a historic streak of weekly gains, even as sporadic attacks occur.—
Kate Sullivan,
Fortune,
30 May 2026
-
But the proud born-again evangelical is channeling the zeal of an old-fashioned tent revival, even if some of his rhetoric falls far outside the bounds of the Good Book.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
Noun
-
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
-
But not even Footer’s thorough sleuthing has unearthed much more than Bradley’s brag.—
Brian Seibert,
New Yorker,
13 May 2026
-
Humble brag; That turned out to be a stroke of genius on my part.—
Marc Silver,
NPR,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In December 2024, Lipa posted photos featuring a diamond ring on her left ring finger, spurring engagement chatter.—
Alexandra Del Rosario,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
-
There’s plenty of chatter behind the scenes about more stories to come after the torrent of revelations since Platner announced his campaign.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
Hammy magniloquence risks alienating viewers, not just for an evening but for life, as does obscurity.—
The Economist,
The Economist,
15 Mar. 2018
Noun
-
Whether the rant has any immediate political implications for the lawmakers, especially in a midterm election year, remains to be seen.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
5 June 2026
-
Conversation starters → One Hollywood actor's in-flight rant has travelers laughing — and arguing — all over again.—
Staff,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hot air.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hot%20air. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
