as in nonsense
language, behavior, or ideas that are absurd and contrary to good sense
starting with the cherry tree, much of what was written by Washington's early biographers was pure poppycock
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 poppycock
Regardless, concerns that the series’ delay was due to quality problems have proved to be viral poppycock.
—
Randy Myers, Mercury News, 27 June 2025
Buckingham Palace simply couldn’t abide someone in its circle saying poppycock.
—Vulture, 29 Aug. 2023
This is, as Raymond Reddington might say, utter poppycock.
—Tanya Melendez, EW.com, 3 Apr. 2023
Taylor had said in the weeks leading up to his exit that Utah was the place for him and that Whittingham was the mentor for him, all of which was poppycock.
—Gordon Monson, The Salt Lake Tribune, 11 Dec. 2022
Skeptics pounced on the proclamation as pure poppycock—and for understandable reasons.
—Jacob Carpenter, Fortune, 13 May 2022
McVay was tired of the poppycock.
—Dallas News, 21 Sep. 2021
Randy Myers, Mercury News, 27 June 2025
Buckingham Palace simply couldn’t abide someone in its circle saying poppycock.
—Vulture, 29 Aug. 2023
This is, as Raymond Reddington might say, utter poppycock.
—Tanya Melendez, EW.com, 3 Apr. 2023
Taylor had said in the weeks leading up to his exit that Utah was the place for him and that Whittingham was the mentor for him, all of which was poppycock.
—Gordon Monson, The Salt Lake Tribune, 11 Dec. 2022
Skeptics pounced on the proclamation as pure poppycock—and for understandable reasons.
—Jacob Carpenter, Fortune, 13 May 2022
McVay was tired of the poppycock.
—Dallas News, 21 Sep. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for poppycock
Noun
-
The whole tariff nonsense, the tariffs that were struck down by the Supreme Court, those tariffs rested on false claims by the president of the United States about economic emergency.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
4 Mar. 2026
-
And don’t give me the lacking pass protection nonsense.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The devices, Tisch said at a Saturday news conference, were smaller than a football and appeared to be a jar wrapped in black tape that contained nuts, bolts, and screws, along with a hobby fuse that could be lit.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
9 Mar. 2026
-
The devices were wrapped in black tape with nuts, bolts and screws, as well as a fuse.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Keep garbage bins covered and clean them frequently to remove sticky foods.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
7 Mar. 2026
-
It has been used as a military camp, garbage dump, and recreational area throughout its history.—
Madeline Coleman,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The study confirmed direct dumping by boats, with evidence of bags full of rubbish thrown overboard.—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Researchers found evidence of bags full of rubbish being thrown overboard, identifiable by pile-up patterns on the seabed.—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Piccioli sent out a mishmash of styles from all over a fashion map that seems to have been drawn five or six years ago (oversize sneakers, faux couture gestures like capes and feathers and blah sportswear).—
Rachel Tashjian,
CNN Money,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Selling was easy, even if the returns for McMann and Laughton in particular were kinda blah and the Leafs were unable to execute any major roster shakeup or take advantage of their ability to retain salary.—
Jonas Siegel,
New York Times,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Various clips are making the rounds on social media where Chiefs fans are enjoying seeing Jones’ latest silliness.—
Lisa Gutierrez,
Kansas City Star,
10 Mar. 2026
-
This time round, though, an unfortunate silliness sometimes creeps in, where the film risks tipping over Shakespearean-size emotions into embarrassing bathos.—
Miriam Balanescu,
IndieWire,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Any who show up are declaring their indelible stupidity and misogyny.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
24 Feb. 2026
-
As to the famous fine line between stupid and clever, the stupidity and the cleverness are all but inextricable, and to the point.—
Television Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The evidence is irrefutable — a pile of drool atop a drenched spot on your pillow.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Plus, Helen Jo promised a drool-worthy sour cream and onion dip will be paired with it.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Poppycock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poppycock. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
