1
as in rhetoric
boastful speech or writing
his taking credit for the rescue was mostly hot air, since the boat was actually saved by the Coast Guard
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2
as in wind
language that is impressive-sounding but not meaningful or sincere
her campaign promise to "fight for the people" showed a taste for stale hot air
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hot air
Yet, as wondrously beautiful as these floating mini hot air balloon launches are, the reality is there’s only a fine line — and a gust of wind — that can turn a sky lantern into a free-floating Molotov cocktail.
—
Edwin Goei, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2025
Signs that an air conditioner needs to be cleaned include a visible buildup of dust, hair, or other debris; a unit that is blowing hot air, which may indicate that the coils need cleaning; or a mildew smell emanating from the unit.
—Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 May 2025
After mopping, mop heads are washed and dried with hot air.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 9 Apr. 2025
Mexico’s Riviera Maya News agency said a 40-year-old man died in the city of Zacatecas’ First Balloon Festival on Sunday morning when a hot air balloon preparing to carry three passengers broke free of its tether and began to rise.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for hot air
Edwin Goei, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2025
Signs that an air conditioner needs to be cleaned include a visible buildup of dust, hair, or other debris; a unit that is blowing hot air, which may indicate that the coils need cleaning; or a mildew smell emanating from the unit.
—Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 May 2025
After mopping, mop heads are washed and dried with hot air.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 9 Apr. 2025
Mexico’s Riviera Maya News agency said a 40-year-old man died in the city of Zacatecas’ First Balloon Festival on Sunday morning when a hot air balloon preparing to carry three passengers broke free of its tether and began to rise.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for hot air
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hot air
Noun
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The most frequently cited reasons for wanting to move were concerns about LGBTQ+ rights – 76% – the sociopolitical climate – 71% – anti-trans rhetoric and climate – 60% – and anti-trans laws and policies – 47%.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
3 June 2025
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Drawing the line between criticism and hate Jonathan, a Jewish young professional in Washington, D.C., said political leaders must more clearly condemn rhetoric that veers into incitement.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
3 June 2025
Noun
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Archetypal playboy Eddie Irvine has always loved a humble brag, renowned for accumulating a long list boys toys assets after following a successful F1 career.—
Julia Zaltzman,
Robb Report,
24 May 2025
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Loewe’s Puzzle bag, which Anderson introduced in his first collection, and which is made from soft leather cut into patchwork pieces and then stitched back together at rakish angles, is a choice non-blingy brag.—
Rebecca Mead,
The New Yorker,
17 Mar. 2025
Noun
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On December 7, after a 4-2 defeat at Brentford, Newcastle were 12th in the table and, externally, there was chatter about Eddie Howe’s position.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
29 May 2025
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Suddenly, though, there is a confluence of intriguing points: The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill that, if the chatter is to be believed, will see resistance in the Senate but that resistance will be about some combination of spending cuts and tax increases.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
27 May 2025
Noun
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Case in point, Bill Maher’s recent unfunny rant about Cassie Ventura, the woman at the center of the Diddy allegations.—
Anita Chabria,
Los Angeles Times,
6 June 2025
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When Triston Casas went down, he was reportedly asked by Craig Breslow to play first base, which upset him and led to a rant in the media.—
Aaliyan Mohammed,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 June 2025
Noun
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In 2023, another paper argued that the Milky Way and Andromeda are, in effect, already interacting since ancient stars in the Milky Way's halo are about halfway to Andromeda and that a halo of gas around both galaxies is already entwined.—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
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If approved, Missourians would have higher gas bills by Oct. 24, 2025.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
2 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hot air.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hot%20air. Accessed 11 Jun. 2025.
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