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
So ranked-choice voting was implemented as a stop-loss remedy — a move to camouflage the practices of an industry devoted to meretricious, often nihilistic entertainments.
—
Armond White, National Review, 27 June 2025
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
Armond White, National Review, 27 June 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for meretricious
Adjective
-
Some of the most desirable brands let the product speak for itself rather than resorting to conspicuous branding and flashy gimmicks.—
Matteo Atti,
Forbes.com,
11 Aug. 2025
-
Anderson, looking every inch a Pre-Raphaelite muse, plays the penniless, unmarried, and — worst of all — conspicuous socialite Lily Bart.—
Elle Carroll,
Vulture,
11 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Having a 5-2 record in postseason series is remarkable and has changed the outlook of the franchise.—
Tony East,
Forbes.com,
20 Aug. 2025
-
What followed was one of the most remarkable comebacks the sport has ever seen.—
Hua Hsu,
New Yorker,
20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Rob McCord is a brilliant attorney, capable of managing high-level budget deliberations while also engaging his mind creatively — whether in another language or in poetry.—
Aegis reader commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
21 Aug. 2025
-
If Jefferson is limited in any way, the wide receiver cupboard is not exactly stocked with brilliant talent.—
Steve Silverman,
Forbes.com,
21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The employee said a juvenile inside the restaurant was becoming loud, aggressive and was threatening employees and using profanities, according to a report from The South Bend Tribune.—
Katie Wiseman,
IndyStar,
23 Aug. 2025
-
The timing is notable: Trump’s Truth Social post about Bolton had nothing to do with classified information and everything to do with the fact that Bolton was one of the loudest reality checks on television about the President’s embarrassing summit a day earlier with Vladimir Putin, in Alaska.—
Susan B. Glasser,
New Yorker,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
There's a noticeable difference between similar comforters made with down and down alternatives.—
Louryn Strampe,
Wired News,
22 Aug. 2025
-
The lines on the court illustrate the noticeable boundary differences.—
Merlisa Lawrence Corbett,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
See dramatic photos of the storm by Arizona Republic photographers.—
Jane Onyanga-Omara,
USA Today,
28 Aug. 2025
-
Only the Lord himself could have conjured lighting so dramatic.—
Amanda Uhle
August 27,
Literary Hub,
27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The group is prepared to shake things up in the music scene with their striking visuals, undeniable vocal talent and youthful energy.—
Footwear News,
Footwear News,
27 Aug. 2025
-
Bright red stems add to the plant’s striking coloration throughout the year.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
26 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
In 2024, he was also arrested for DUI but failed to appear in court, leaving an outstanding warrant.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
27 Aug. 2025
-
Why do some 80-year-olds have exceptional memories and outstanding critical thinking skills?—
Julia Ries Wexler,
Health,
27 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Meretricious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/meretricious. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.
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