name-dropping
noun
name-drop·ping
ˈnām-ˌdrä-piŋ 
: the studied but seemingly casual mention of prominent persons as associates done to impress others
Examples of name-dropping in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
However, effective personalization isn’t simply about name-dropping or referencing a recent post.
—
Samuel Darwin, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
And although the memoir isn’t as heavy on showbiz anecdote as might be expected, much of the name-dropping may yet surface in the second book.
—Alexander Larman, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 29 Nov. 2024
Beyond the impressive name-dropping and pedigree — his aunt and uncle are writers Joan Didion and John Gregory Dunne — Dunne, 69, has a gift for storytelling.
—Brooke Lefferts, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 June 2024
His reckless name-dropping about events that are pure fiction and simply did not happen is nothing more than a transparent attempt to garner headlines.
—Kimi Robinson, USA TODAY, 24 May 2024
George does some name-dropping throughout his book, including other members of the Jackson family.
—Kimi Robinson, USA TODAY, 9 Jan. 2024
His indiscriminate name-dropping of events that are entirely fictional and never occurred is a transparent effort to grab attention.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 27 Feb. 2024
Laboriously, Amistad sinks to courtroom histrionics and showy, historical name-dropping.
—Duane Byrge, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
There’s a certain kind of theater parody made by theater people, where the characters are either provincial rubes or name-dropping, Olivier-quoting grandees of their local scene, and theater is made out to be a kind of small-town cult for the flamboyantly uncool.
—Vulture Staff, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2023
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Samuel Darwin, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
And although the memoir isn’t as heavy on showbiz anecdote as might be expected, much of the name-dropping may yet surface in the second book.
—Alexander Larman, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 29 Nov. 2024
Beyond the impressive name-dropping and pedigree — his aunt and uncle are writers Joan Didion and John Gregory Dunne — Dunne, 69, has a gift for storytelling.
—Brooke Lefferts, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 June 2024
His reckless name-dropping about events that are pure fiction and simply did not happen is nothing more than a transparent attempt to garner headlines.
—Kimi Robinson, USA TODAY, 24 May 2024
George does some name-dropping throughout his book, including other members of the Jackson family.
—Kimi Robinson, USA TODAY, 9 Jan. 2024
His indiscriminate name-dropping of events that are entirely fictional and never occurred is a transparent effort to grab attention.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 27 Feb. 2024
Laboriously, Amistad sinks to courtroom histrionics and showy, historical name-dropping.
—Duane Byrge, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
There’s a certain kind of theater parody made by theater people, where the characters are either provincial rubes or name-dropping, Olivier-quoting grandees of their local scene, and theater is made out to be a kind of small-town cult for the flamboyantly uncool.
—Vulture Staff, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2023
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Cite this Entry
“Name-dropping.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/name-dropping. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
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