1
as in rhetoric
boastful speech or writing
his taking credit for the rescue was mostly hot air, since the boat was actually saved by the Coast Guard
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2
as in wind
language that is impressive-sounding but not meaningful or sincere
her campaign promise to "fight for the people" showed a taste for stale hot air
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of hot air
And these deals don’t disappoint — from the best eye cream for dark circles to one of PEOPLE’s best hot air brushes to a TikTok-viral highlighter, and more.
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Madison Yauger, People.com, 25 Nov. 2024
The actors/singers/dancers interact with each other, or with big ornamental props or even with hot air geysers and bicycle-like machine that looks like a flock of birds in flight.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 21 Nov. 2024
High pressure systems in the upper atmosphere typically drive all of California’s major heat waves, creating a lid over an area as air sinks — a phenomenon sometimes referred to as a heat dome — which prevents hot air from rising, essentially trapping it.
—Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2024
Take a tethered hot air balloon ride, watch the ponies or duel a knight this weekend.
—Carlie Kollath Wells, Axios, 21 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hot air 
Madison Yauger, People.com, 25 Nov. 2024
The actors/singers/dancers interact with each other, or with big ornamental props or even with hot air geysers and bicycle-like machine that looks like a flock of birds in flight.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 21 Nov. 2024
High pressure systems in the upper atmosphere typically drive all of California’s major heat waves, creating a lid over an area as air sinks — a phenomenon sometimes referred to as a heat dome — which prevents hot air from rising, essentially trapping it.
—Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2024
Take a tethered hot air balloon ride, watch the ponies or duel a knight this weekend.
—Carlie Kollath Wells, Axios, 21 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hot air
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hot air
Noun
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The rhetoric on social media following that – that murder is extraordinarily alarming.CBS News, CBS News, 22 Dec. 2024
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The steep slide that month came as Fed rhetoric was perceived as too hawkish for comfort, coinciding with concerns over tariff impacts.Michael Santoli, CNBC, 21 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The humble brag is a new shiny toy for some people.Lance Eliot, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024
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The brag quickly caught the attention of Swift fans across social media, who rushed to attack Spector while defending Swift.Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 19 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Hong Kong and Mainland China grinded higher, led by growth stocks and consumer subsectors on chatter of holiday season vouchers and in anticipation of the post-CEWC release’s pro-consumption and fiscal policy expansion.Brendan Ahern, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
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With her return to Hollywood, Lohan has also caused chatter for her bold outfit choices.Michelle Lee, People.com, 10 Dec. 2024
Noun
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While most have become accustomed and perhaps even oblivious to McGregor’s online rants, openly criticizing a business partner is a little dicey.Brian Mazique, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
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Last year’s list was headed by Laurence Fox’s misogynistic rant about a female journalist on GB News.Max Goldbart, Deadline, 19 Dec. 2024
Noun
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And more recently, Hänni used Rosetta data to identify dimethyl sulfide—a gas that, on Earth, is only known to be produced by living organisms.Elise Cutts, WIRED, 22 Dec. 2024
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Those gases usually gather in the parts of the gastrointestinal tract located near the rear of the turtle, so the animal is left floating bum-up at an unnatural angle.Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 21 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Hot air.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hot%20air. Accessed 3 Jan. 2025.
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