lip service

noun

: an avowal of advocacy, adherence, or allegiance expressed in words but not backed by deeds
usually used with pay

Examples of lip service in a Sentence

She paid lip service to blue-collar workers, but she did nothing to help them. So far all we've gotten from him is lip service.
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.
Especially when compared with the explicitly pro-woman tenor of the ads that aired during the game, which begin to look like little more than lip service. Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 11 Feb. 2025 Those who thrive at work have roles that align with their strengths, a work-life balance that’s more than just lip service, and a boss that provides unwavering support inside and outside of the workplace. Julia Korn, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025 The script pays lip service to Sam’s anxieties, but does little to explore or dramatize them. Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 12 Feb. 2025 The corporations and politicians that once paid lip service to the values of alarmed liberals now feel free to reverse course. Ross Barkan, New York Times, 25 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lip service

Word History

First Known Use

1590, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lip service was in 1590

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Cite this Entry

“Lip service.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lip%20service. Accessed 2 Mar. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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