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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hot air
In the winter, the blast of hot air coming out of your supply ducts would fool the thermostat, telling it that the room is warm enough when, in fact, there is still cold air in the room.
—
Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 6 Mar. 2026
Two people are now on land after being rescued from a hot air balloon that got stuck in a communications tower more than 900 feet in the air in rural East Texas.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 4 Mar. 2026
Horseback riding, hot air balloon rides, and off-highway vehicle trails await.
—Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 23 Feb. 2026
The food and drink The star of the Beaverbrook dining show is the al fresco offering, where red and pink striped hot air balloons top tables and afternoon tea is served from the Japanese Grill.
—Sarah Leigh Bannerman, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hot air
Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 6 Mar. 2026
Two people are now on land after being rescued from a hot air balloon that got stuck in a communications tower more than 900 feet in the air in rural East Texas.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 4 Mar. 2026
Horseback riding, hot air balloon rides, and off-highway vehicle trails await.
—Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 23 Feb. 2026
The food and drink The star of the Beaverbrook dining show is the al fresco offering, where red and pink striped hot air balloons top tables and afternoon tea is served from the Japanese Grill.
—Sarah Leigh Bannerman, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hot air
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hot air
Noun
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By this token, the politician who steals scraps of another’s rhetoric (even if the actual stealing is performed by speechwriters) is derided as if he had been found watching pornography.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
22 Mar. 2026
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What is needed now, Fingerhut added, is a stronger, more coordinated pushback before rhetoric escalates into violence.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
22 Mar. 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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If the turquoise waters of the Caribbean are calling your name, consider Bonaire as your spring break brag.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
27 Feb. 2026
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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
Noun
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The chatter led General Mills to buy La Tiara’s assets in June for $10 million.—
Jenna Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
16 Mar. 2026
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Herson said he’s not focused on the chatter.—
Frederick Dreier,
Outside,
16 Mar. 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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That epic rant seemed to get the Bruins on a roll.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Mar. 2026
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In fact, my rant is related to my hesitation to completely dismiss a Chawinga three-peat possibility.—
Tamerra Griffin,
New York Times,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hot air.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hot%20air. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
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