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
By day, travelers enjoy exclusive outdoor excursions, from climbing the sky-high Big Dune to flying over the region in a hot air balloon.
—
AFAR Media, 30 May 2025
On May 12, the U.S. and China put their war of escalating tariffs on a 90-day pause, which took a lot of hot air out of Trump’s balloon.
—Michael Barclay, Quartz, 28 May 2025
Initially discovered during the first high-altitude flights in the 1920s, contrails are created when hot air from a plane’s engines condenses into ice crystals in the cold air.
—Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 May 2025
Yet, as wondrously beautiful as these floating mini hot air balloon launches are, the reality is there’s only a fine line — and a gust of wind — that can turn a sky lantern into a free-floating Molotov cocktail.
—Edwin Goei, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for hot air
AFAR Media, 30 May 2025
On May 12, the U.S. and China put their war of escalating tariffs on a 90-day pause, which took a lot of hot air out of Trump’s balloon.
—Michael Barclay, Quartz, 28 May 2025
Initially discovered during the first high-altitude flights in the 1920s, contrails are created when hot air from a plane’s engines condenses into ice crystals in the cold air.
—Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 May 2025
Yet, as wondrously beautiful as these floating mini hot air balloon launches are, the reality is there’s only a fine line — and a gust of wind — that can turn a sky lantern into a free-floating Molotov cocktail.
—Edwin Goei, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for hot air
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hot air
Noun
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Trump frequently used similarly bellicose rhetoric at various times during his first term.—
Brett Samuels,
The Hill,
13 June 2025
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While the reactionary right offered the most frothing anti-gay rhetoric, much of the anti-gay policymaking happened under a Democrat, Bill Clinton.—
Lucas Schaefer
June 13,
Literary Hub,
13 June 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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Tariffs, recession chatter, political uncertainty -- these factors are upending the sales environment for mainstream and luxury automakers alike.—
Morgan Korn,
ABC News,
8 June 2025
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An etiquette expert and the author of a new book about manners is causing plenty of online chatter about the proper way to eat a banana and other common handheld foods.—
Peter Burke,
FOXNews.com,
7 June 2025
Noun
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Case in point, Bill Maher’s recent unfunny rant about Cassie Ventura, the woman at the center of the Diddy allegations.—
Anita Chabria,
Los Angeles Times,
6 June 2025
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When Triston Casas went down, he was reportedly asked by Craig Breslow to play first base, which upset him and led to a rant in the media.—
Aaliyan Mohammed,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 June 2025
Noun
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The price of oil makes up about half the price of a gallon of gas, so one of the first things to be affected by rising oil prices would be prices at the pump.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
14 June 2025
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These gases, possibly along with thin icy clouds, reduce the heat escaping into space, making the planet appear cooler and fainter than expected.—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
14 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hot air.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hot%20air. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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