as in glitter
something attractive but lacking in substance
a book that examines popular fame and finds it to be very disposable tinsel
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tinsel
Gold or silver tree tinsel adds a party-ready touch to a classic green Christmas tree.
—
Staff Author, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Dec. 2025
That same tinsel also lined the bottom trim and colored each breast.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 26 Dec. 2025
For the new holiday, a traditional Christmas tree is swapped for a long pole (no decorations as Frank finds tinsel distracting).
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 23 Dec. 2025
Red and gold baubles, green wreaths and ribbons were dotted around the Holy Family Church, and a tall Christmas tree draped in tinsel was erected in the corner.
—Sana Noor Haq, CNN Money, 21 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tinsel
Staff Author, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Dec. 2025
That same tinsel also lined the bottom trim and colored each breast.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 26 Dec. 2025
For the new holiday, a traditional Christmas tree is swapped for a long pole (no decorations as Frank finds tinsel distracting).
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 23 Dec. 2025
Red and gold baubles, green wreaths and ribbons were dotted around the Holy Family Church, and a tall Christmas tree draped in tinsel was erected in the corner.
—Sana Noor Haq, CNN Money, 21 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tinsel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tinsel
Noun
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Plus, a little glitter never hurt anybody.—
Christina Perrier,
InStyle,
21 Feb. 2026
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The song, which will officially come out with the rest of the 10-track album on April 24, is the sort of taut, electrifying blend of rock-for-the-sake-of-rock, Seventies-era glitter metal and power pop that Dave Grohl and company have perfected in recent decades.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
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But this was the hoops equivalent of cotton candy – pleasing for a moment, but without much substance.—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
16 Feb. 2026
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Or, to put it another way, The Perfect Couple is a bit like cotton candy—delicious and then gone.—
Stephanie Bai,
The Atlantic,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tinsel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tinsel. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
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