as in hype
information released to the media that is designed to gain public attention or support for a person, business, or cause
the newspaper's local stories are often thinly disguised puffery for area businesses
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 puffery
That conclusion may sound preposterously quaint to some, unwelcome advice to a few, ridiculous puffery or an impossible goal to still others.
—
David Baldacci, Peoplemag, 15 Apr. 2024
Most mentions of Florida were mere puffery, with little indication of what DeSantis intends to accomplish.
—Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun Sentinel Editorial Boards, Orlando Sentinel, 22 Feb. 2024
When the subject is not the movies but matters of the Middle East, the consequences of this sleight of hand are far graver than some dubious promotional puffery.
—Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2024
This column is dedicated to my late father, Dr. Subhash Jain, a dedicated physician, father, grandfather, and husband who always prioritized the real work of delivering great patient care over hype—and always pushed me to look beyond puffery in the development of my own perspectives.
—Sachin H. Jain, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2023
See All Example Sentences for puffery
David Baldacci, Peoplemag, 15 Apr. 2024
Most mentions of Florida were mere puffery, with little indication of what DeSantis intends to accomplish.
—Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun Sentinel Editorial Boards, Orlando Sentinel, 22 Feb. 2024
When the subject is not the movies but matters of the Middle East, the consequences of this sleight of hand are far graver than some dubious promotional puffery.
—Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2024
This column is dedicated to my late father, Dr. Subhash Jain, a dedicated physician, father, grandfather, and husband who always prioritized the real work of delivering great patient care over hype—and always pushed me to look beyond puffery in the development of my own perspectives.
—Sachin H. Jain, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2023
See All Example Sentences for puffery
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puffery
Noun
-
By contrast, Palmeiras, arguably the best team in South America, earned their spot in the Club World Cup by winning the 2023-24 Copa Libertadores and kicked off the tournament after a successful season back home and a lot of hype about their star striker Estêvão.—
Adam Crafton,
New York Times,
15 June 2025
-
There had been a lot of hype around Apple Intelligence a year ago.—
Gene Marks,
Forbes.com,
15 June 2025
Noun
-
The layoffs impact teams in film and TV marketing, TV publicity and casting and development.—
Ali McCadden,
CNBC,
5 June 2025
-
Poarch received national publicity for connecting on the tournament-winning goal and an opportunity to play for the indoor Baltimore Blast in the Major Arena Soccer League.—
Michael Lewis,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
Noun
-
The homey space, panelled in dark wood, recalls a nineties coffeehouse, chockablock with sports memorabilia and flyers advertising community events: an adult L.G.B.T.Q.+ summer camp, an Asian climbers’ meetup called ElevAsian.—
Hannah Goldfield,
New Yorker,
16 June 2025
-
Ben’s view The advertising business has always been uniquely vulnerable to extortion.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
16 June 2025
Noun
-
This advertisement likely doesn't have any truth or meaning behind it.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 June 2025
-
Walmart heiress Christy Walton last week even took out a full-page New York Times advertisement urging people to attend protests against the Trump administration.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
14 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Puffery.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puffery. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share