adj
meretricious
Meretricious (adj) means Showy and attractive on the surface, but with no real value or worth underneath.
adj
1
Showy and attractive on the surface, but with no real value or worth underneath.
"When I lifted my eyes from the page, there was none of the meretricious argument London always offers that the sole real purpose in life is to hustle for a buck."
— Clive James, North Face of Soho (2006)
"Murrow's later death from lung cancer was both tragic and ironic, for during World War II Murrow had been an articulate opponent of meretricious balance in reporting."
— Naomi Oreskes, Erik M. Conway (2010)
"What is art beside love? I respect and applaud your indifference to fine poetry when you can contemplate the meretricious charms of this young person."
— William Somerset Maugham (1915)
2
(law) Describes a relationship that involves illegal sexual contact, or in which one person did not properly agree to it.
3
Connected with prostitutes or the trade of prostitution.
Easily confused with
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Etymology
Comes from Latin meretrīcius, which developed from meretrīx (“harlot, prostitute”). That in turn came from mereō (“earn, deserve, merit”), related to English merit, combined with -trīx (“(female agent)”), related to English -trix.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for meretricious
See all rhymes for meretricious →Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of meretricious?
"meretricious" (adj) means showy and attractive on the surface, but with no real value or worth underneath.
What is another word for meretricious?
Other words for "meretricious" include brassy, tacky, specious, cheap, gilded, gimcrack.
What is the opposite of meretricious?
Opposites of "meretricious" include low-key, austere, modest.
What are the different meanings of meretricious?
"meretricious" has 3 main meanings: 1. Showy and attractive on the surface, but with no real value or worth underneath; 2. (law) Describes a relationship that involves illegal sexual contact, or in which one person did not properly agree to it; 3. Connected with prostitutes or the trade of prostitution.
