meretricious

American  

[mer-i-trish-uhs] / ˌmɛr ɪˈtrɪʃ əs /

adjective

1. alluring by a show of flashy or vulgar attractions; tawdry.

   Synonyms:

   gaudy, showy

2. based on pretense, deception, or insincerity.

   Synonyms:

   false, sham, spurious

3. Archaic. relating to or characteristic of a prostitute.

---

meretricious British  

/ ˌmɛrɪˈtrɪʃəs /

adjective

1. superficially or garishly attractive

2. insincere

   meretricious praise

3. archaic of, like, or relating to a prostitute

---

Other Word Forms

• meretriciously adverb
• meretriciousness noun
• unmeretricious adjective
• unmeretriciously adverb
• unmeretriciousness noun

Etymology

Origin of meretricious

First recorded in 1620–30; from Latin meretrīcius “of, pertaining to prostitutes,” derivative of meretrīx “prostitute,” equivalent to mere-, stem of merēre “to earn” + -trīx -trix; -ous

Example Sentences

“Shakespeare in Love” kidnapped its subject to force him into a flimsy and meretricious romcom; “Hamnet” reduces the concept of tragedy to actors being extremely sad.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 27, 2025

The production can’t hide the show’s meretricious heart, but like the song that Scherzinger endows with Puccini-esque splendor, Lloyd has discovered “new ways to dream” Webber’s musical.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 12, 2024

The economic crash of 1929 descended on America like an ice age, ending a meretricious prosperity.

From Salon • Nov. 4, 2023

Fox could argue, plausibly if uncomfortably, that some of its performers are entertainers lacking aptitudes, motives or incentives for making journalistic judgments about meretricious statements uttered on their programs.

From Washington Post • Jan. 11, 2023

I strongly advise those who can afford to purchase these beautiful copies to garnish their sideboards with plate of this description, rather than with the meretricious electro-plate which we often see in our shop-windows.

From Principles of Decorative Design Fourth Edition by Dresser, Christopher