flummery
1
9.9
- noun
- /ˈfləməri/
- Archaic
:
palabrería vacía
- The extravagant decorations at the event were nothing but flummery, designed to impress but lacking any real meaning.
Examples
-
It's all flummery.
-
Oh, don't talk such flummery!
-
It is also true that some explanations are just flummery and others are half-truths.
Blog text (12) -
The name has been prominent since the first appearance of Grierson's anthology in 1921, and famous since Eliot sought amongst metaphysical poetry the hard antidote for flummery.
Academic text (2012) -
During the ceremony, the speaker's flummery about the project's success left many attendees feeling skeptical.
-
His speech was filled with flummery, as he repeatedly praised the committee without offering any substantial insights.
Synonyms
17
5.1
A showy display meant to attract attention
3
6.8
Showy decoration that looks attractive but has little real value
2
8.3
Claims that exaggerate product benefits and are not meant literally
1
9.9
Small decorative things that are fancy and not useful
1
7.9
A way of behaving that tries to show you are better than other people
1
6.5
A style that is very bright or richly decorated to attract attention
Ceremonies that are showy, seem fake, and have no real meaning
Excessive praise that feels fake and forced
A false friendliness that tries to please or impress people
Something that looks bright and attractive but has no real value
A performance that tries to get attention by being loud or dramatic
A way of behaving that shows off wealth or style to impress others
Antonyms
How Sincere
Surface Forms
Etymology
Flummery also means 'empty praise' or showy ceremony because people compared weak, tasteless pudding to praise that has no real value, and the name moved from the food to mean hollow flattery.