ballyhoo 1 of 2

noun

ˈba-lē-ˌhü How to pronounce ballyhoo (audio)
Definition of ballyhoonext
1
as in commotion
a state of noisy, confused activity it turned out that the ballyhoo was the result of a movie being filmed on the street

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hype
information released to the media that is designed to gain public attention or support for a person, business, or cause the usual ballyhoo intended to fill the seats at megaplexes around the country

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ballyhoo

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to advertise
to praise or publicize lavishly and often excessively that reviewer always ballyhoos any book by one of his pet authors

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2
as in to promote
to provide publicity for the TV networks usually spend the summer months ballyhooing their new fall shows

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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 ballyhoo
Noun
Reps also seemed to walk back Lawson’s earlier ballyhoo, floating the idea of projecting only conservation messages rather than symbols of corporate greed and ambition. — Mark Hay, Popular Science, 10 Dec. 2025 The chefs have clearly helped Miami diners expand their palates, serving unusual dishes that could potentially make diners uneasy, like the ballyhoo, which Martinez said should return to the menu once the season starts in a few weeks. — Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
After being delayed for more than three weeks, the graduation of more than 80 sheriff cadets was finally allowed — and ballyhooed as the largest academy class in the agency’s history. — Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 16 July 2026 And Jennifer Maas previews The Game Awards to explain how the event has grown into the Oscars for video games by blending kudos and ballyhoo. — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 11 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ballyhoo
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ballyhoo
  1. commotion
  2. hype
  3. advertise
  4. promote
  5. disturbance
  6. publicity
  7. acclaim
  8. sell
Noun
  • In video her family shared on Instagram, several police officers can be seen running toward the commotion while parents clutch their children.
    — Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 28 July 2026
  • Instead, the commotion was gunfire coming from his next door neighbor’s driveway on Zavala Road.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 July 2026
Definition of commotion
Noun
  • Coming from someone responsible for one of the most consequential software projects on Earth, that feels like a fairly pragmatic assessment, not just hype.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Aug. 2026
  • But Kahan got there first, delivering a stunning experience more than worthy of the global hype.
    — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 July 2026
Definition of hype
Verb
  • Sara Nelson, a Democrat who had advertised her willingness to challenge the harm-reduction consensus, won a seat on the city council the same year and became its president two years later.
    — Michael Powell, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026
  • The shooting occurred after a 311 complaint warned the city a week earlier that social media posts were advertising plans to serve alcohol at an unlicensed business without a liquor license.
    — Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026
Definition of advertise
Verb
  • Veterinary experts share tips on how to care for the items that come into contact with our furry companions to promote good health and stave off odors.
    — Jolie Kerr, Washington Post, 1 Aug. 2026
  • It is commonly used in sports medicine, regenerative medicine and wellness settings with the goal of promoting the healing of tendons, ligaments, muscles and other soft tissues.
    — Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 31 July 2026
Definition of promote
Noun
  • Officers say the changes are aimed at addressing a recent rise in overnight disturbances while reassuring visitors and businesses that Old Sacramento remains a safe destination.
    — Ashley Sharp, CBS News, 31 July 2026
  • They are identified as brain activity accompanied with multisensory disturbances and sometimes don’t even cause the signature intense pain.
    — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 30 July 2026
Definition of disturbance
Noun
  • The tattoo stunt generated the most publicity, of course, much of it negative.
    — Nate Anderson, ArsTechnica, 31 July 2026
  • What this effort points to is the need for a federal right of publicity statute, like the languishing NO FAKES bill.
    — Schuyler Moore, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026
Definition of publicity
Verb
  • And Christopher Nolan’s universally acclaimed The Odyssey is projected to reach a similar milestone.
    — Kian Bakhtiari, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
  • Over the next two decades, the series grew into a sprawling franchise that included prequels, Wolverine spinoffs, the Deadpool films and acclaimed standalone entries such as Logan.
    — Lily Brown, PEOPLE, 26 July 2026
Definition of acclaim
Verb
  • Terminal 26, a new restaurant in Ponce City Market’s central food hall, is inspired by Thailand’s famous floating markets, where goods are sold from boats and riverbank stalls.
    — Henri Hollis, AJC.com, 30 July 2026
  • The purchase set the record for the most expensive home ever sold in Miami-Dade County.
    — Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026
Definition of sell

Browse Nearby Words

balls of wax
ballyhoo
ballyhooed
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Cite this Entry

“Ballyhoo.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ballyhoo. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on ballyhoo

Nglish: Translation of ballyhoo for Spanish Speakers

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