as in nonsense
language, behavior, or ideas that are absurd and contrary to good sense
the idea that you can get a cold from not dressing warmly is claptrap
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in mechanical
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of claptrap
Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2023
One is that a Kennedy candidacy that gains any real traction alone will increase the political credibility of anti-vax claptrap, which already has more than enough.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2023
That meant rolling home with bloody scrapes full of gravel past old farmhouses cheap enough for mailmen and jazz musicians to buy, build claptrap chicken coops and grow weed in the backyard.
—Daniel Duane, New York Times, 30 May 2023
In ours, though, bureaucrats, corporations, and risk managers seem to have grasped that engaging in critical claptrap about popular culture – Marx’s ‘ruthless criticism of all that exists’ – asks easier gestures of them than the work of real administration.
—Matthew Carey Salyer, Forbes, 17 Feb. 2023
See all Example Sentences for claptrap 
Noun
But one is accustomed to hearing this claptrap from the right-wing fringe, not from anyone reaching Johnson’s elevated position in the government.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2023
One is that a Kennedy candidacy that gains any real traction alone will increase the political credibility of anti-vax claptrap, which already has more than enough.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2023
That meant rolling home with bloody scrapes full of gravel past old farmhouses cheap enough for mailmen and jazz musicians to buy, build claptrap chicken coops and grow weed in the backyard.
—Daniel Duane, New York Times, 30 May 2023
In ours, though, bureaucrats, corporations, and risk managers seem to have grasped that engaging in critical claptrap about popular culture – Marx’s ‘ruthless criticism of all that exists’ – asks easier gestures of them than the work of real administration.
—Matthew Carey Salyer, Forbes, 17 Feb. 2023
See all Example Sentences for claptrap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for claptrap
Noun
-
Writing nonsense just to make word / article quotas.—
Harman Dayal,
The Athletic,
14 Feb. 2025
-
The Baltimore Sun owes Baltimore Ravens placekicker Justin Tucker a headline apology and let this nonsense go.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
13 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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In 2023, more than 200 passengers were stuck at a military base in remote Canada for over 21 hours after a Delta flight traveling from Amsterdam to Detroit, Michigan, experienced a mechanical issue and needed to make an emergency landing.—
Kris Van Cleave,
CBS News,
16 Feb. 2025
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As the final stage began, Austin Hill experienced a mechanical issue with leaking fluid.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
16 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The plummeting property values bled Gary of tax revenue for roads, schools, street lights, firefighters, garbage pickup.—
Paige Williams,
The New Yorker,
10 Feb. 2025
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City government is closest to the needs of residents’ everyday lives – snow plowing, garbage pickup, street lights, road repair, public safety, sensible economic development for low property taxes.—
Aurora Beacon-News,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Shifting from New York to Texas Lively and Reynolds (whose blockbuster Deadpool & Wolverine has been dragged directly into this with a January 7 evidence preservation letter sent to Disney and Marvel over the hypocritical Nicepool character) opened up a likely new legal front in Hays County, Texas.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
27 Jan. 2025
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Senator Markwayne Mullin, Republican of Oklahoma, accused Democrats of being hypocritical for saying Mr. Hegseth was unqualified to lead the Pentagon because he had been intoxicated and cheated on his wife.—
Helene Cooper,
New York Times,
14 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The property also grows its own herbs, greens, nuts, berries, and edible flowers.—
Bianca Salonga,
Forbes,
6 Jan. 2025
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Focus on whole foods like fruits, leafy green vegetables, fatty fish, nuts, and seeds.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Health,
5 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
View 6 Images Unlike cats, our vision is pretty rubbish in very low light conditions.—
Paul Ridden,
New Atlas,
17 Jan. 2025
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On the evening of January 14, a woman was arrested after allegedly setting multiple piles of rubbish and trash on fire, Jim McDonnell, chief of the Los Angeles Police Department, said at a news conference last week.—
Zoe Sottile,
CNN,
21 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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That said, the experiment created a pretty contrived situation.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
3 Feb. 2025
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The past two seasons have given us Michigan vs. Everybody and Ohio Against the World, both of which felt a bit contrived.—
Austin Meek,
The Athletic,
22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Honest criticism is rude, and insincere praise is — well, insincere.—
Judith Martin,
The Mercury News,
4 Feb. 2025
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Don’t force trendy slang that feels insincere for your brand.—
Noa Eshed,
Forbes,
2 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near claptrap
Cite this Entry
“Claptrap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/claptrap. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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