whole cloth
noun
: pure fabrication
—usually used in the phrase out of whole cloth
the theory was created out of whole cloth
Examples of whole cloth in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Trump administration does not need to invent a new Asia strategy out of whole cloth.
—
Michael Green, Foreign Affairs, 19 Nov. 2024
Not just another hint that the whole Road sprung up out of whole cloth, but a sly practical effect, too.
—Caroline Framke, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2024
In recent weeks, the network has invented stories out of whole cloth targeting Vice President and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.
—Michael Conte, CNN, 30 Oct. 2024
Yale, but Paul Rudolph, specifically, invented me out of whole cloth.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 2 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for whole cloth 
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.
Michael Green, Foreign Affairs, 19 Nov. 2024
Not just another hint that the whole Road sprung up out of whole cloth, but a sly practical effect, too.
—Caroline Framke, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2024
In recent weeks, the network has invented stories out of whole cloth targeting Vice President and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.
—Michael Conte, CNN, 30 Oct. 2024
Yale, but Paul Rudolph, specifically, invented me out of whole cloth.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 2 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for whole cloth
Articles Related to whole cloth
Dictionary Entries Near whole cloth
Cite this Entry
“Whole cloth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whole%20cloth. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share