as in hype
information released to the media that is designed to gain public attention or support for a person, business, or cause
the newspaper's local stories are often thinly disguised puffery for area businesses
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of puffery
This is where the focused music hall puffery of the production helps.
—
Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 22 Apr. 2024
That conclusion may sound preposterously quaint to some, unwelcome advice to a few, ridiculous puffery or an impossible goal to still others.
—David Baldacci, Peoplemag, 15 Apr. 2024
Most mentions of Florida were mere puffery, with little indication of what DeSantis intends to accomplish.
—Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun Sentinel Editorial Boards, Orlando Sentinel, 22 Feb. 2024
When the subject is not the movies but matters of the Middle East, the consequences of this sleight of hand are far graver than some dubious promotional puffery.
—Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2024
See All Example Sentences for puffery
Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 22 Apr. 2024
That conclusion may sound preposterously quaint to some, unwelcome advice to a few, ridiculous puffery or an impossible goal to still others.
—David Baldacci, Peoplemag, 15 Apr. 2024
Most mentions of Florida were mere puffery, with little indication of what DeSantis intends to accomplish.
—Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun Sentinel Editorial Boards, Orlando Sentinel, 22 Feb. 2024
When the subject is not the movies but matters of the Middle East, the consequences of this sleight of hand are far graver than some dubious promotional puffery.
—Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2024
See All Example Sentences for puffery
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puffery
Noun
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Moro Ojomo earned the most hype of the non-Carter defensive linemen this summer.—
Zach Berman,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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While crypto has endured cycles of hype and disillusionment, its actual utility may finally find its most potent expression in AI data markets.—
Forbes.com,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
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When evaluating whether to sign on new talent or renew deals, Greenstein added that the company looks at factors such as hours listened, ad revenue, social media and publicity, as well as the broader idea of what that individual means to the service, or that particular genre.—
Caitlin Huston,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Sep. 2025
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From sourcing leather and hardware to securing the right manufacturers and managing publicity, the process is full of moving parts.—
Ugonnaora Owoh,
Essence,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The main hall in the exhibit features hundreds of images of Native Americans used in popular culture or advertising.—
BrieAnna J. Frank,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
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Disney obtains a share of YouTube’s ad revenue on its videos, and also sells advertising directly.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Gap, for instance, this week sought to counter backlash against Sweeney’s advertisement with a campaign in which pop group Katseye lead a diverse group of dancers performing in denim against a white backdrop.—
Karen Gilchrist,
CNBC,
24 Aug. 2025
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In the face-cream advertisement, M remained wreathed in the pink flowers of spring.—
Rachel Cusk,
New Yorker,
24 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Puffery.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puffery. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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