as in conspicuous
formal + disapproving
attractive in a cheap or false way
meretricious beauty lacking in any real substance
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar 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 meretricious
These meretricious narratives play well throughout the Global South.
—
Michael Miklaucic,
Twin Cities,
5 Apr. 2025
These meretricious narratives play well throughout the Global South.
—
Michael Miklaucic,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2025
Denzel Washington stars as Macrinus, a meretricious arms dealer who own a stable of gladiators, while Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger are brothers and ruling emperors.
—
Zoe Guy,
Vulture,
1 July 2024
The bullying tactics being used to sell this boondoggle are underhanded and meretricious.
—
Letters To The Editor,
The Mercury News,
25 Jan. 2024
These shows raised the bar for musical drama and proved to Broadway that meretricious soullessness isn’t the only way.
—
Charles McNulty,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Dec. 2023
You’re left with a feeling of overwhelming perversity, of a kind of meretricious, insane God out there playing games.
—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
19 Oct. 2023
Michael Miklaucic,
Twin Cities,
5 Apr. 2025
These meretricious narratives play well throughout the Global South.
—
Michael Miklaucic,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2025
Denzel Washington stars as Macrinus, a meretricious arms dealer who own a stable of gladiators, while Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger are brothers and ruling emperors.
—
Zoe Guy,
Vulture,
1 July 2024
The bullying tactics being used to sell this boondoggle are underhanded and meretricious.
—
Letters To The Editor,
The Mercury News,
25 Jan. 2024
These shows raised the bar for musical drama and proved to Broadway that meretricious soullessness isn’t the only way.
—
Charles McNulty,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Dec. 2023
You’re left with a feeling of overwhelming perversity, of a kind of meretricious, insane God out there playing games.
—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
19 Oct. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for meretricious
Adjective
-
Venus Venus is conspicuous as July's long evening twilights fade.
-
Unlike Jefferson, however, Washington was very concerned about his image and wanted to avoid conspicuous presentations of luxury, according to Miller.
Adjective
-
Rather than succumb to the misery of its subject matter, Union County is about the quiet, tedious, and remarkable work that is getting and staying sober — the final product a testament to all that can be achieved.
-
These creative calculations suggest a grand total of about 20 million species of insects, many of them with behaviors and physical adaptations and remarkable lives scientists today can only dream of discovering.
Adjective
-
The Colombia margin would have been larger but for the brilliant play of Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi, who twice came up with two-handed saves to prevent goals.
-
The winner of 28 Grammys, Jones was a music producer, band leader, composer, arranger, television producer, music executive, conductor, trumpet player, civil rights activist, philanthropist and all-around brilliant person.
Adjective
-
Despite a soggy start, the crowd stayed loud and energetic throughout the night.
-
There are loud crowds, and then there are Mexican soccer crowds.
Adjective
-
Evolutionary cues, emotional encoding and genetics all converge in how partners experience each other’s smell, and a noticeable shift in that experience may be worth paying attention to.
-
After 12 weeks, the results suggested that a tiny dose of regular exercise could yield noticeable physical benefits.
Adjective
-
After so many dramatic and 11th-hour wins in the Round of 32, the World Cup's Round of 16 has much to live up to.
-
Such has been such a dramatic overhaul in the conference that the Heat at one moment can be viewed as contenders for the NBA Finals and at another the perception quite reasonably can be … right back in the play-in pool.
Adjective
-
Enter one of the 315 guestrooms and suites and automatic blinds open to reveal striking runway views.
-
Amazingly, for all his striking power, Mbappé may not be France’s most crucial player.
Adjective
-
Watson was always known for incredibly quick hands and outstanding bat speed.
-
Another outstanding rug in the lineup this week is this easy-to-clean jute number from Joon Loloi at 60% off.
Cite this Entry
“Meretricious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/meretricious. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
