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
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
For all the over-the-top luxury—the $26 million Brentwood home, the high-fashion name-dropping that clutters her social media feeds—there’s something appealingly low-key about her.
—Maer Roshan, Town & Country, 15 Aug. 2023
More:'Jeopardy!' champ and St. Norbert prof talks representing Green Bay, name-dropping Aaron Rodgers, raising the roof What does Ben Chan plan to do with his winnings?
—Christopher Kuhagen, Journal Sentinel, 24 May 2023
After McNeil introduced Hough to Danny Fields, a rock ‘n’ roll legend who managed the Stooges and the Ramones, Fields did some name-dropping of his own.
—James Sullivan, BostonGlobe.com, 26 Apr. 2023
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
For all the over-the-top luxury—the $26 million Brentwood home, the high-fashion name-dropping that clutters her social media feeds—there’s something appealingly low-key about her.
—Maer Roshan, Town & Country, 15 Aug. 2023
More:'Jeopardy!' champ and St. Norbert prof talks representing Green Bay, name-dropping Aaron Rodgers, raising the roof What does Ben Chan plan to do with his winnings?
—Christopher Kuhagen, Journal Sentinel, 24 May 2023
After McNeil introduced Hough to Danny Fields, a rock ‘n’ roll legend who managed the Stooges and the Ramones, Fields did some name-dropping of his own.
—James Sullivan, BostonGlobe.com, 26 Apr. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'name-dropping.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Name-dropping.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/name-dropping. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.
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