as in popularity
the state of enjoying widespread approval
the phenomenal hotness of the movie's stars is the driving force behind all of the advance publicity
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Recent Examples of hotness
In 2026, complexity is old and busted, and simplified zonal systems are the new hotness.
—
Byron Hurd, The Drive, 19 Feb. 2026
Natalie Erika James throws a bunch of great ideas into her fem-horror riff on body dysmorphia, shame and the tireless quest for physical perfection in a culture obsessed with youthful hotness — following in the path of The Substance and Ryan Murphy’s latest dollop of high-gloss trash, The Beauty.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 3 Feb. 2026
At the center of the fun is a drug called the Beauty, which can transform the ugliest duckling into the loveliest swan but after a while develops the unfortunate side effect described above, making hotness literal.
—Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026
Exploration isn’t always easy, after all, in a culture that expects women to fit conventional notions of hotness—and to please everyone else.
—Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 17 Jan. 2026
Such hotness is in the eye of the beholder.
—Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 14 Jan. 2026
But hotness isn’t only aesthetics.
—Caroline Rothstein, InStyle, 30 Dec. 2025
Duplenticy’s tattoo serves a similar function, signaling both his hotness and his capacity for change.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 18 Dec. 2025
The result isn’t always an easier character for the actor to pull off, but removing the Hollywood hotness factor provides an opportunity for at-home audiences to fully immerse themselves in the story.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 5 Nov. 2025
Byron Hurd, The Drive, 19 Feb. 2026
Natalie Erika James throws a bunch of great ideas into her fem-horror riff on body dysmorphia, shame and the tireless quest for physical perfection in a culture obsessed with youthful hotness — following in the path of The Substance and Ryan Murphy’s latest dollop of high-gloss trash, The Beauty.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 3 Feb. 2026
At the center of the fun is a drug called the Beauty, which can transform the ugliest duckling into the loveliest swan but after a while develops the unfortunate side effect described above, making hotness literal.
—Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026
Exploration isn’t always easy, after all, in a culture that expects women to fit conventional notions of hotness—and to please everyone else.
—Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 17 Jan. 2026
Such hotness is in the eye of the beholder.
—Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 14 Jan. 2026
But hotness isn’t only aesthetics.
—Caroline Rothstein, InStyle, 30 Dec. 2025
Duplenticy’s tattoo serves a similar function, signaling both his hotness and his capacity for change.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 18 Dec. 2025
The result isn’t always an easier character for the actor to pull off, but removing the Hollywood hotness factor provides an opportunity for at-home audiences to fully immerse themselves in the story.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 5 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hotness
Noun
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The landmark case is the first time the justices will consider whether the controversial practice of digital dragnets, which have grown in popularity among law enforcement with advances in technology, violate constitutional protections against unreasonable searches.—
Devin Dwyer,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
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In response to the recent popularity of matching sets, the pendulum is now swinging back the other way to favor more whimsical, unique outfits.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Osmon notes that critics called the music working-class rock before heartland rock came into vogue; the terms are sometimes treated as interchangeable, but heartland rock is in much wider use.—
Jack Hamilton,
The Atlantic,
28 Apr. 2026
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That’s also the trademark of Courtney (Balenciaga) Washington, a choreographer from the worlds of competition dance and vogue ballrooms.—
Sheldon Pearce,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Zeilberger, meanwhile, is prepared to abandon mathematical ideals in favor of a mathematics that’s inherently messy — just like the world is.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
29 Apr. 2026
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And on Wednesday, the House sped through less than two hours of debate and questions before voting in favor of the plan along party lines.—
Romy Ellenbogen,
Miami Herald,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hotness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hotness. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.
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