pooh-pooh

verb

ˈpü-(ˌ)pü How to pronounce pooh-pooh (audio)
pü-ˈpü
variants or less commonly poo-poo or pooh
ˈpü How to pronounce pooh-pooh (audio)
pooh-poohed also poohed; pooh-poohing also poohing; pooh-poohs also poohs
Synonyms of pooh-poohnext

intransitive verb

: to express contempt or impatience

transitive verb

: to express contempt for or make light of : play down, dismiss
pooh-pooher noun
or less commonly poo-pooer
plural pooh-poohers also poo-pooers
Despite what chief Providence pooh-pooher Jack Thomas writes in the Globe, I say the place is worth regular visits, especially after a day at the beach in southern Rhode Island. — Paul Fischer

Examples of pooh-pooh in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
But weather forecasters typically pooh-pooh their predictions. — Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 31 Jan. 2025 But weather forecasters typically pooh-pooh their predictions. — Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 31 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

pooh

First Known Use

1823, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of pooh-pooh was in 1823

Rhymes for pooh-pooh

See All Rhymes for pooh-pooh

Browse Nearby Words

pooh-bah
pooh-pooh
pooh-pooh theory
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pooh-pooh.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pooh-pooh. Accessed 17 Apr. 2025.

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Kids Definition

pooh-pooh

verb
ˈpü-pü,
pü-ˈpü
variants also pooh
ˈpü
1
: to express scorn or impatience
2
: to treat with scorn : deride
pooh-pooh the idea of ghosts

More from Merriam-Webster on pooh-pooh

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for pooh-pooh

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