as in conspicuous
formal + disapproving
attractive in a cheap or false way
meretricious beauty lacking in any real substance
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Recent Examples of meretricious
These meretricious narratives play well throughout the Global South.
—
Michael Miklaucic, Twin Cities, 5 Apr. 2025
These meretricious narratives play well throughout the Global South.
—Michael Miklaucic, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2025
Denzel Washington stars as Macrinus, a meretricious arms dealer who own a stable of gladiators, while Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger are brothers and ruling emperors.
—Zoe Guy, Vulture, 1 July 2024
But as a character study, with Holocaust themes deepening the stakes of the domestic turmoil, the play holds up extremely well in its critique of a world that has lost its capacity for silence and that is prepared to sacrifice literature for meretricious distraction.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2024
The bullying tactics being used to sell this boondoggle are underhanded and meretricious.
—Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 25 Jan. 2024
These shows raised the bar for musical drama and proved to Broadway that meretricious soullessness isn’t the only way.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 15 Dec. 2023
You’re left with a feeling of overwhelming perversity, of a kind of meretricious, insane God out there playing games.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 19 Oct. 2023
Today’s sleek, simple anti-It Bags, on the other hand, telegraph a less meretricious sort of chic.
—Fiorella Valdesolo, WSJ, 7 Jan. 2023
Michael Miklaucic, Twin Cities, 5 Apr. 2025
These meretricious narratives play well throughout the Global South.
—Michael Miklaucic, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2025
Denzel Washington stars as Macrinus, a meretricious arms dealer who own a stable of gladiators, while Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger are brothers and ruling emperors.
—Zoe Guy, Vulture, 1 July 2024
But as a character study, with Holocaust themes deepening the stakes of the domestic turmoil, the play holds up extremely well in its critique of a world that has lost its capacity for silence and that is prepared to sacrifice literature for meretricious distraction.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2024
The bullying tactics being used to sell this boondoggle are underhanded and meretricious.
—Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 25 Jan. 2024
These shows raised the bar for musical drama and proved to Broadway that meretricious soullessness isn’t the only way.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 15 Dec. 2023
You’re left with a feeling of overwhelming perversity, of a kind of meretricious, insane God out there playing games.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 19 Oct. 2023
Today’s sleek, simple anti-It Bags, on the other hand, telegraph a less meretricious sort of chic.
—Fiorella Valdesolo, WSJ, 7 Jan. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for meretricious
Adjective
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In a world where customers expect companies to have a point of view, the absence of one is conspicuous.—
Rhea Wessel,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
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For starters, Miller found that notice of the arbitration clause was sufficiently conspicuous to Lori.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
12 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Thank you to all the remarkable health care workers, who take our lives in your hands.—
Janelle Ash,
FOXNews.com,
10 Apr. 2025
-
O'Donnell's departure on February 28 marked a remarkable 39-day span of rotating commissioners.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
That warrants definite watching to see if yet another brilliant scheme by Kyle and Kamilla can take hold.—
Dalton Ross,
EW.com,
10 Apr. 2025
-
In his brilliant opening round 65, DeChambeau gained 3.7 strokes putting, nearly double his previous career-best number.—
Justin Ray,
New York Times,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
In a nutshell, this Mango crossbody is trendy without being loud: a balance that will serve you well, especially when paired with a maxi skirt, white sneakers, and a transitional-weather cashmere sweater almost as soft as the item itself.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
10 Apr. 2025
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The sigh of relief heard on Wall Street was almost as loud on Capitol Hill, where GOP lawmakers let out a collective exhale.—
Alex Gangitano,
The Hill,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Based on the study’s results, Tucker’s team believes that survivors of severe trauma may see noticeable changes in their biological systems’ baseline levels.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Often described as a cult favorite, it is formulated to deliver noticeable results while minimizing the risk of irritation.—
Corein Carter,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The coup marked a dramatic political backslide in a country that had been moving toward democracy for the past decade, and triggered widespread unrest.—
Emily Fishbein, Hpan Ja Brang,
The Dial,
17 Apr. 2025
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Correspondent Mo Rocca explores the dramatic events of that fateful day 250 years ago; and hears from reenactors about why the colonists' ideals still hold true today.—
David Morgan,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The 26-room boutique spans three levels of the striking Torre Virreyes, a jutting showpiece of the skyline with views stretching into the Bosque de Chapultepec, the region’s largest urban park, once home of Aztec and Habsburg emperors.—
Travel + Leisure Editors,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Apr. 2025
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In an attempt to balance ticket prices and food, a striking trend has been emerging.—
Jack Kelly,
Forbes.com,
16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The thicker frame is reminiscent of an earlier era filled with outstanding fashion.—
Christopher Murray,
FOXNews.com,
17 Apr. 2025
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This achievement reflects the group’s continued leadership in international health services and its ability to offer outstanding patient experiences.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
16 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Meretricious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/meretricious. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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