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
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
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
The bullying tactics being used to sell this boondoggle are underhanded and meretricious.
—Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 25 Jan. 2024
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
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
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
The bullying tactics being used to sell this boondoggle are underhanded and meretricious.
—Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 25 Jan. 2024
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
-
Its stalk is snappable, its fragrance is delightful, and its bright beauty is highly conspicuous.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Any indication of a new deal has been conspicuous so far by its absence.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
More remarkable is his ability to convince skittish engineers, investors, and a tech-skeptical public that their priorities, even when mutually exclusive, are also his priorities.—
Ronan Farrow,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
There’s also no denying that finishing with a point per game or better in 21 consecutive NHL seasons is a remarkable achievement.—
Josh Yohe,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
When his team returned to the deep-sea site, however, its brilliant colors were smothered under a blanket of fluffy gray scum.—
Jeffrey Marlow,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Woo yielded one hit over seven brilliant innings, setting down his last 12 batters and recording six strikeouts while matching the longest scoreless start of his career.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Sometimes the world is just too busy and loud!—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Like tens of thousands across the country, Steve Kerr is a loud and proud supporter of his alma mater during March Madness.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Use the dome light and flashers to make your vehicle more noticeable.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Add in limited ventilation and the fact that windows usually can’t be opened freely, and the effects can quickly become noticeable.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The change in temperatures will be dramatic after a record-setting 84 degrees on Wednesday in the Philadelphia region.—
Bill Kelly,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Yet key dramatic moments—a shooting, the robbers’ realization that the bank vault is empty—occurred in a hallway invisible to the audience, described secondhand.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Ditching her signature light brown, mid-length hair, Hadid debuted a striking blonde pixie cut.—
Meg Walters,
InStyle,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The companies are actively seeking to replace striking crew.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The show won nine Emmys during its run, including an outstanding comedy series win and an outstanding lead actress award for O’Hara, both in 2020.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
5 Apr. 2026
-
The special coins recognize those over the age of 70 for outstanding service to their communities, and the number of recipients matches the age of the monarch.—
Stephanie Petit,
PEOPLE,
5 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Meretricious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/meretricious. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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