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
Even the smallest crack or window gap can allow cool air to escape and hot air to creep in.
—
Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 27 Apr. 2026
About an hour after the ceremony, a hot air balloon that had been tethered near the ceremony site broke loose in strong winds, striking the casino and a power line before landing in a nearby field, according to Elk Grove police.
—Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 27 Apr. 2026
The safest flights happen when winds are gentle and stable, which is why hot air balloons usually fly in the early morning or evening when the atmosphere is calmest.
—Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 23 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
Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 27 Apr. 2026
About an hour after the ceremony, a hot air balloon that had been tethered near the ceremony site broke loose in strong winds, striking the casino and a power line before landing in a nearby field, according to Elk Grove police.
—Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 27 Apr. 2026
The safest flights happen when winds are gentle and stable, which is why hot air balloons usually fly in the early morning or evening when the atmosphere is calmest.
—Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 23 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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Stop listening to the rhetoric coming from the government.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
16 May 2026
-
Musk’s attorney pressed him on the discrepancy between mission rhetoric and personal enrichment.—
Anisha Sircar,
Forbes.com,
16 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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But not even Footer’s thorough sleuthing has unearthed much more than Bradley’s brag.—
Brian Seibert,
New Yorker,
13 May 2026
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Humble brag; That turned out to be a stroke of genius on my part.—
Marc Silver,
NPR,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
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There is chatter that Otto at least attempted to die by suicide.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
18 May 2026
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So, yes, there likely will be chatter in that regard should the Cavaliers fall short with their current build.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
17 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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Her epic Valentine’s Day rant had tongues wagging for weeks.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
9 May 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Hot air.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hot%20air. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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