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
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 heads of banks, corporations, universities, law firms, foundations, and media companies were neither more nor less venal, meretricious, and greedy than their counterparts today.
—George Packer, Foreign Affairs, 11 Oct. 2011
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
By condescending to the twins’ evident lack of cultural exposure, the media compound a circumstance that suggests remote parental influence — and dereliction of our rapaciously indifferent consumer culture that sells only what is new and meretricious.
—Armond White, National Review, 28 Aug. 2020
Today’s sleek, simple anti-It Bags, on the other hand, telegraph a less meretricious sort of chic.
—Fiorella Valdesolo, WSJ, 7 Jan. 2023
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 heads of banks, corporations, universities, law firms, foundations, and media companies were neither more nor less venal, meretricious, and greedy than their counterparts today.
—George Packer, Foreign Affairs, 11 Oct. 2011
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
By condescending to the twins’ evident lack of cultural exposure, the media compound a circumstance that suggests remote parental influence — and dereliction of our rapaciously indifferent consumer culture that sells only what is new and meretricious.
—Armond White, National Review, 28 Aug. 2020
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
-
Something obvious was missing, easily conspicuous by the absence.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
19 Mar. 2025
-
The images are another apt reminder that many Middle Eastern countries are fairly discreet about their ballistic missile arsenals, with some conspicuous exceptions.—
Paul Iddon,
Forbes,
4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Medium-full, this has an effortless entry on the palate, beautiful complexity and very good, but not too high a level of acidity; there is excellent persistence and a remarkable elegant finish.—
Tom Hyland,
Forbes,
17 Mar. 2025
-
Which is all the more remarkable considering five years ago, the pandemic brought education in the U.S. to a grinding halt and, in many places, achievement still hasn't rebounded.—
Cory Turner,
NPR,
17 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
There’s even a $90 discount on this 50-inch Insignia Fire TV that provides access to millions of movies and television episodes in brilliant 4K quality.—
Clara McMahon,
People.com,
18 Mar. 2025
-
The actor also has various business ventures, including being a founder and brewer at All-Wise Meadery and co-founder of the high-protein yogurt-like product Thor’s Skyr, along with Terry Crews. 02 of 08 Cole Sprouse (Cody) Cole Sprouse plays Zack’s brilliant twin brother Cody.—
Skyler Trepel,
EW.com,
18 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
While Gomez has forged a refined, ladylike look in powder-blue Prada and anticipatory bridal whites, with ornate custom Ralph Lauren and glittering Armani Prive for her red carpet appearances, Blanco loves pale linens, loud prints, and hippie hemp materials.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
19 Mar. 2025
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Some of these factors, particularly stress, are in part because of the shelter’s outdated and loud kennels.—
Mathew Miranda,
Sacramento Bee,
19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Use the dome light and flashers to make your vehicle more noticeable.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacramento Bee,
19 Mar. 2025
-
Yet there were no noticeable MAGA hats at Edwards’ town hall.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
17 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Given Trump’s order, the release of all this information sounded dramatic, but much of what has been revealed is about as interesting as that driver’s-license detail.—
Kaitlyn Tiffany,
The Atlantic,
22 Mar. 2025
-
Former Reba co-stars Melissa Peterman (as Gabby, the needy and dramatic bartender) and Reba McEntire already have proven chemistry, and any scene between the two is a lightning rod for plenty of chuckles.—
Marc Berman,
Forbes,
22 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Rylance carries a striking and beautiful complexity across the series.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
23 Mar. 2025
-
The sport is seemingly designed to cater to the combat sport fan who doesn’t want to see the grappling associated with MMA, but would prefer to see more action and striking variation than traditional boxing.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The show was also a huge hit, scoring 61 Emmy nominations in just three seasons, and winning 13, including outstanding comedy series.—
Keith Langston,
People.com,
23 Mar. 2025
-
One person was arrested at the scene of the search for outstanding warrants and a drug charge unrelated to the original case, according to the statement.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Meretricious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/meretricious. Accessed 29 Mar. 2025.
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