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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to promote
to provide publicity for
the TV networks usually spend the summer months ballyhooing their new fall shows
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of ballyhoo
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
Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 28 May 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
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 for 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, 28 May 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
Noun
-
Then there was silence, followed by sounds of a commotion.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
-
While most of those visitors are coming with good intentions, there’s always the possibility that bad actors will take advantage of the crowds and commotion to cause damage and inflict harm.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
United States Women’s National Team attacker Ally Sentnor came to the Kansas City Current in August with much hype and fanfare.—
PJ Green,
Kansas City Star,
18 June 2026
-
No matter what the hype, candles, sonic devices, and bracelets don’t keep mosquitoes away.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
The most recent fares were advertised on the cruise’s website as starting at $1,300 per person, with some activities included while others cost extra.—
Nathan Diller,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
-
The Athletic has been told that is influenced by strict limits, regulated by the communications services watchdog OFCOM, on how many adverts and how many total minutes of advertising ITV can show.—
Tom Burrows,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
Verb
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When the company launched Fox One, its new subscription streaming service aimed at cord cutters, Murdoch forbid the company from promoting the outlet to traditional TV audiences, a bid to ensure the new platform wouldn’t upset its relationships with cable and video distributors.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
15 June 2026
-
Tom Holland and Zendaya made promoting their new movie look like a casual date moment.—
Angeline Jane Bernabe,
ABC News,
15 June 2026
Noun
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Those supporters were left unchallenged by stewards, despite FIFA winning a court hearing enabling them to lawfully prohibit people showing the lion-and-sun flags on the grounds of them carrying a political message and potentially causing disturbances.—
Henry Bushnell,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
-
The coordinated attack left one local police officer, who was responding to a disturbance call at the detention center, shot in the neck.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
15 June 2026
Noun
-
El Money wanted publicity and was prepared to pay.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 June 2026
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Eager to maintain their status as the primary branch of government, congressmen didn’t want to pay for the executive to go on a publicity tour.—
Livia Gershon,
JSTOR Daily,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
The dish is highly acclaimed in Kansas City, named one of Kansas City Magazine’s best breakfast dishes in 2024.—
Scott Chasen,
Kansas City Star,
10 June 2026
-
The show was acclaimed by both critics and audiences.—
Victoria Edel,
PEOPLE,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
Authorities say fentanyl can be sold as pills with some online dealers claiming the pills are Xanax, Percocet and oxycodone.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
16 June 2026
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The opening of the Obama Presidential Center is just days away, and among the items sold in the center's gift shop comes from a young entrepreneur.—
Shardaa Gray,
CBS News,
15 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ballyhoo.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ballyhoo. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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