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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hot air
A lot of folks know New Mexico for green chiles, the largest hot air balloon festival in the world, and the birthplace of the bomb.
—
John Burnett, NPR, 7 June 2025
More podcasting, more stand-up, more talking, more hot air.
—Ashley Hume , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2025
The civil protection agency added that the balloon was operated by a tour company that offers hot air balloon rides to view the pyramids from above.
—Mauricio Torres, CNN Money, 23 May 2025
Bristol International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta, UK (August 8-10, 2025)
Every August, Bristol’s skies burst into color as hundreds of hot air balloons take flight in Europe’s largest and most spectacular balloon festival.
—Joanne Shurvell, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for hot air
John Burnett, NPR, 7 June 2025
More podcasting, more stand-up, more talking, more hot air.
—Ashley Hume , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2025
The civil protection agency added that the balloon was operated by a tour company that offers hot air balloon rides to view the pyramids from above.
—Mauricio Torres, CNN Money, 23 May 2025
Bristol International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta, UK (August 8-10, 2025)
Every August, Bristol’s skies burst into color as hundreds of hot air balloons take flight in Europe’s largest and most spectacular balloon festival.
—Joanne Shurvell, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for hot air
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hot air
Noun
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In the absence of evidence, Trump always rushes in with rhetoric.—
Chris Brennan,
USA Today,
27 June 2025
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In recent years, many of Ye’s public outbursts have had antisemitic rhetoric.—
DeMicia Inman,
VIBE.com,
27 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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There was a lot of chatter about taxes and changes to the tax system for colleges.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
4 July 2025
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Both players are near the top of their respective positions, but there was a lot of chatter regarding Fitzpatrick.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 July 2025
Noun
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For example, the first crack in the Republican edifice was the advent of the Tea Party Movement, one of whose tenets was tough fiscal responsibility, as inspired by a ‘Chicago Tea Party’ rant from CNBC commentator Rick Santelli in 2009.—
Mike O'Sullivan,
Forbes.com,
28 June 2025
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Devers was upset when Breslow requested him to change positions again and went on a rant to reporters.—
Aaliyan Mohammed,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 June 2025
Noun
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Iran approved the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil and gas route.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
26 June 2025
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Buc-ee’s has pitched building 120 gas pumps and 12 charging stations for electric vehicles on the property.—
Sofi Zeman,
Kansas City Star,
26 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hot air.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hot%20air. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.
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