hot air

noun

Definition of hot airnext
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

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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

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 As daylight faded, visitors explored inside the grand hall and wandered the gardens before the night ended with hot air balloon rides and fireworks over the property. — Sophia Buonpane, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2026 Heat domes act like a lid on a pot, trapping and enhancing hot air beneath them. — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 30 July 2026 The National Weather Service says the high-pressure system will continue to pump hot air from the east into the atmosphere. — Chelsea Hylton, CBS News, 30 July 2026 The offseason buzz around this young man has been Manningesque, and his growth over the second half of last season should be enough proof that those words aren't just hot air. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 28 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for hot air
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hot air
  1. rhetoric
  2. gasconade
  3. brag
  4. chatter
  5. magniloquence
  6. rant
Noun
  • When Rodrigo, Perry, Grande, and Kahan made public comments, spokespeople for the White House used the opportunity to spread hateful rhetoric.
    — Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The messages included in court documents contain assassination threats, including via firing squad and hanging, as well as Islamophobic and homophobic rhetoric.
    — Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of rhetoric
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
Definition of gasconade
Noun
  • Harvind Singh, the CEO of a consulting engineering firm in Chicago, didn't start keeping a brag log until mid-career.
    — Angela Haupt, Time, 21 July 2026
  • But not even Footer’s thorough sleuthing has unearthed much more than Bradley’s brag.
    — Brian Seibert, New Yorker, 13 May 2026
Definition of brag
Noun
  • Then, later that same day, Reid took to her Instagram story to seemingly dismiss the online chatter about the latest casting news.
    — Jack Dunn, Variety, 8 Aug. 2026
  • It's long been rumored to be called Pixel Glow, though recently there's been chatter that it'll be called HiLight.
    — Florence Ion, PC Magazine, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of chatter
Noun
  • Hammy magniloquence risks alienating viewers, not just for an evening but for life, as does obscurity.
    — The Economist, The Economist, 15 Mar. 2018
Definition of magniloquence
Noun
  • Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham addressed a viral pre-game rant by their head coach after the Indiana Fever's 106-92 win over the New York Liberty on Tuesday.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Wolfson suggested the exhibit could integrate the video of Galliano’s rant directly, alongside commentary on it.
    — Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of rant

Browse Nearby Words

hot
hot air
hotbed
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Cite this Entry

“Hot air.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hot%20air. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on hot air

Nglish: Translation of hot air for Spanish Speakers

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