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
Police said, per the BBC, that the man had been with a group of 16 people and a pilot that had been onboard a hot air balloon traveling about 11 miles from Billingshurst to Dunsfold in Surrey.
—
Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 20 Sep. 2025
Held in the first week of October, it’s known as the world’s largest hot air balloon festival; the flights were tied to the event.
—Chase Jordan, Charlotte Observer, 12 Sep. 2025
The whole family can climb sand dunes, stargaze, fly in hot air balloons, and take helicopter trips to the dramatic Skeleton Coast.
—Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 9 Sep. 2025
The heated air then rises, similar to how a hot air balloon lifts off.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hot air
Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 20 Sep. 2025
Held in the first week of October, it’s known as the world’s largest hot air balloon festival; the flights were tied to the event.
—Chase Jordan, Charlotte Observer, 12 Sep. 2025
The whole family can climb sand dunes, stargaze, fly in hot air balloons, and take helicopter trips to the dramatic Skeleton Coast.
—Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 9 Sep. 2025
The heated air then rises, similar to how a hot air balloon lifts off.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hot air
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hot air
Noun
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But Herrero, of the Cuba Study Group, argued that this kind of rhetoric is better understood as electoral gamesmanship.—
Jon Lee Anderson,
New Yorker,
29 Sep. 2025
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Watson and Radcliffe have consistently voiced support for transgender rights, sometimes in direct contrast to Rowling reiterating hurtful rhetoric that is tied to the TERF (trans-exclusionary radical feminists) movement, which posits the belief that trans women are not women.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Sep. 2025
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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The entertainment industry is no stranger to individuals who espouse contested stories about screen hits, but the producers of Legacy of Lies have grown tired of his brags.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
25 Sep. 2025
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While the sale hasn’t started just yet, there are tons of early Amazon Prime Day toy deals to get your holiday shopping started or snag a brag-worthy deal on a birthday gift.—
Anja Webb,
Parents,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
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There has been much chatter about possible collaborators for the upcoming album.—
Caché McClay,
USA Today,
26 Sep. 2025
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There is always chatter about these type of things, but this one is unlikely to lead to anything as of now.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
25 Sep. 2025
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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After the Lynx suffered an 84-76 loss to the Mercury, Reeve went on a lengthy rant in the postgame press conference.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
28 Sep. 2025
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Since then, Bright Eyes were able to hit the road again for an expansive tour, which turned out to be a successful run filled with hearty sing-alongs and Oberst’s signature onstage rants in support of fundamental human rights for trans people and immigrants.—
Maya Georgi,
Rolling Stone,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Venture Global and Weixel, of East Daley, are much more bullish, arguing that global demand will keep rising faster than many expect with electrification, AI, and coal-to-gas power switching.—
Jordan Blum,
Fortune,
25 Sep. 2025
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Russia is banning exports of fuel until the end of the year as gas pumps across the country and in the areas under its occupation are increasingly running dry because of Ukrainian drone attacks.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hot air.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hot%20air. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.
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