as in conspicuous
formal + disapproving
attractive in a cheap or false way
meretricious beauty lacking in any real substance
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Recent Examples of meretricious
So ranked-choice voting was implemented as a stop-loss remedy — a move to camouflage the practices of an industry devoted to meretricious, often nihilistic entertainments.
—
Armond White, National Review, 27 June 2025
These meretricious narratives play well throughout the Global South.
—Michael Miklaucic, Twin Cities, 5 Apr. 2025
These meretricious narratives play well throughout the Global South.
—Michael Miklaucic, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2025
Denzel Washington stars as Macrinus, a meretricious arms dealer who own a stable of gladiators, while Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger are brothers and ruling emperors.
—Zoe Guy, Vulture, 1 July 2024
But as a character study, with Holocaust themes deepening the stakes of the domestic turmoil, the play holds up extremely well in its critique of a world that has lost its capacity for silence and that is prepared to sacrifice literature for meretricious distraction.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2024
The bullying tactics being used to sell this boondoggle are underhanded and meretricious.
—Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 25 Jan. 2024
These shows raised the bar for musical drama and proved to Broadway that meretricious soullessness isn’t the only way.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 15 Dec. 2023
You’re left with a feeling of overwhelming perversity, of a kind of meretricious, insane God out there playing games.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 19 Oct. 2023
Armond White, National Review, 27 June 2025
These meretricious narratives play well throughout the Global South.
—Michael Miklaucic, Twin Cities, 5 Apr. 2025
These meretricious narratives play well throughout the Global South.
—Michael Miklaucic, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2025
Denzel Washington stars as Macrinus, a meretricious arms dealer who own a stable of gladiators, while Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger are brothers and ruling emperors.
—Zoe Guy, Vulture, 1 July 2024
But as a character study, with Holocaust themes deepening the stakes of the domestic turmoil, the play holds up extremely well in its critique of a world that has lost its capacity for silence and that is prepared to sacrifice literature for meretricious distraction.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2024
The bullying tactics being used to sell this boondoggle are underhanded and meretricious.
—Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 25 Jan. 2024
These shows raised the bar for musical drama and proved to Broadway that meretricious soullessness isn’t the only way.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 15 Dec. 2023
You’re left with a feeling of overwhelming perversity, of a kind of meretricious, insane God out there playing games.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 19 Oct. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for meretricious
Adjective
-
Simultaneously, conspicuous commerce makes consumption more public and, therefore, casts a vote on what’s acceptable—ultimately, driving more consumption.—
Dr. Marcus Collins,
Forbes.com,
30 July 2025
-
Both the moon and Spica will set a little over two hours after the sun on July 30 for viewers in the U.S, with the binary system growing more conspicuous as our parent star slips farther below the horizon.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
29 July 2025
Adjective
-
There’s a certain romanticism that lies at the heart of these remarkable gins, something conjured, perhaps, by that dramatic meeting of land and sea.—
Camille Berry,
Vogue,
15 July 2025
-
It’s been a remarkable first half of the season for the Kansas City Current.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
14 July 2025
Adjective
-
This year’s summer fashion trends have been dominated by simple patterns, breezy fabrics, and fluttery silhouettes—all of which are brilliant additions to your summer travel wardrobe thanks to their versatility and packability.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
28 July 2025
-
This film will not only pay tribute to his career, but to his brilliant mind and unwavering determination.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
28 July 2025
Adjective
-
The calls from the right flank of the GOP for Phelan's ouster were equally as loud as the calls that any speaker must have the support of most, if not all, of the Republican House members.—
John C. Moritz,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
-
For the millions watching, their story is a reminder that joy doesn’t have to be loud.—
Jordan Greene,
People.com,
29 July 2025
Adjective
-
For later stages, incorporating regenerative in-office treatments can make a noticeable difference.—
Elycia Rubin,
HollywoodReporter,
30 July 2025
-
Ay Papi’s Whitethorn Rose Single Origin Live Rosin Infused Gummies are colorless and melt in the mouth with a noticeable musky cannabis flavor accompanied by sweet, tropical fruit notes.—
IRENE ADELINE MILANEZ,
Sacbee.com,
28 July 2025
Adjective
-
The past five years have been among the most dramatic: SXSW closed down during the first weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic and did not reopen in person — on a much smaller scale — until 2022.—
Michael Barnes,
Austin American Statesman,
23 July 2025
-
That story was at the center of dramatic portrayals in an HBO Max docuseries, which accused Remnant of being a cult, and a Lifetime movie.—
Liam Adams,
The Tennessean,
22 July 2025
Adjective
-
The characters share striking similarities to Byron and Cabot, down to their clothes.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
22 July 2025
-
The sweater in question bears a striking resemblance to the kind Bill Cosby became famous for wearing.—
Mychal Denzel Smith,
Time,
22 July 2025
Adjective
-
The film had an outstanding run at the box office, opening with a record-breaking $183 million Memorial Day weekend debut.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
-
Straight out of the Chris Jones playbook, Banks uses his length to create movement, and his effort from the backside is outstanding.—
Dane Brugler,
New York Times,
22 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Meretricious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/meretricious. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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