meretricious

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective meretricious contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of meretricious are flashy, garish, gaudy, and tawdry. While all these words mean "vulgarly or cheaply showy," meretricious stresses falsity and may describe a tawdry show that beckons with a false allure or promise.

a meretricious wasteland of casinos and bars

When is it sensible to use flashy instead of meretricious?

The words flashy and meretricious are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, flashy implies an effect of brilliance quickly and easily seen to be shallow or vulgar.

a flashy nightclub act

When could garish be used to replace meretricious?

While the synonyms garish and meretricious are close in meaning, garish describes what is distressingly or offensively bright.

garish neon signs

Where would gaudy be a reasonable alternative to meretricious?

The words gaudy and meretricious can be used in similar contexts, but gaudy implies a tasteless use of overly bright, often clashing colors or excessive ornamentation.

circus performers in gaudy costumes

When would tawdry be a good substitute for meretricious?

Although the words tawdry and meretricious have much in common, tawdry applies to what is at once gaudy and cheap and sleazy.

tawdry saloons

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 But as a character study, with Holocaust themes deepening the stakes of the domestic turmoil, the play holds up extremely well in its critique of a world that has lost its capacity for silence and that is prepared to sacrifice literature for meretricious distraction. Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 16 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 Today’s sleek, simple anti-It Bags, on the other hand, telegraph a less meretricious sort of chic. Fiorella Valdesolo, WSJ, 7 Jan. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for meretricious
Adjective
  • The neighborhoods with the most billboards — and the most conspicuous billboards — include Pacific Beach, several stretches of El Cajon Boulevard and the Midway District near the city’s sports arena.
    David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 June 2025
  • The design contributions are more notable for their judicious neutrality than any conspicuous style, though Chiara Costanza’s original score adds another atypical flavor.
    Dennis Harvey, Variety, 20 June 2025
Adjective
  • Certainly, there are plenty of big, long-time online creators who are producing good-quality content at remarkable velocity.
    David Bloom, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025
  • Best of all is Belden House’s location right in town, steps away from the center and its remarkable history.
    Marcia DeSanctis, Travel + Leisure, 20 June 2025
Adjective
  • And all of the brilliant military minds involved in this attack.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 22 June 2025
  • The fit is brilliant, and the Rockets don’t really lose any of their depth or identity with it.
    Zach Harper, New York Times, 22 June 2025
Adjective
  • Immediately, a loud chorus of boos can be heard from the crowd, demonstrating the attendees' displeasure with the news.
    Jason Lemon, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025
  • That’s why Central Florida residents should speak up, now and loud.
    Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 June 2025
Adjective
  • Similar parents commenting on Diwa's post said the switch made a noticeable difference in their own homes, with several sharing anecdotes of improved moods and calmer transitions to offscreen activities.
    Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025
  • Whereas androgenetic alopecia is characterized by the shrinking of hair follicles, which leads to thin, barely noticeable hair, the key indicators of CCCA are inflammation and damage to the follicles.
    Sierra Leone Starks, Allure, 24 June 2025
Adjective
  • In this passionate Fire sign, the messenger planet speaks with confidence, courage and a dramatic flair.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 28 June 2025
  • Males are slightly smaller than females and are known for dramatic courtship displays involving rapid wing beats and vocal trills.
    Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
Adjective
  • In some photos, Lauren could be seen sporting a wedding ring, sans her striking engagement ring.
    Janelle Ash , Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 28 June 2025
  • As sheriff, Tony has shown a striking lack of political awareness with his spending requests.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 28 June 2025
Adjective
  • In 2012, Bates won her first Emmy Award, taking home outstanding guest actress in a comedy series for Two and a Half Men.
    Brendan Le, People.com, 28 June 2025
  • In terms of niche and micro brands, visitors can expect to see outstanding horology from companies such as Armin Strom, Bell & Ross, Biver, Bovet, F.P. Journe, Greubel Forsey, H. Moser &Cie, Ming, MB&F, Parmigiani Fleurier, and many more.
    Roberta Naas, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Meretricious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/meretricious. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

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