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.

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meretricious British  

/ ˌmɛrɪˈtrɪʃəs /

adjective

1. superficially or garishly attractive

2. insincere

   meretricious praise

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

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

From Salon • Nov. 4, 2023

Even in his last decades, when he might have basked in the eminence of his international reputation, he was still experimenting, still trying to separate the essential from the meretricious.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 3, 2022

On the other hand, you have Nabokov’s “Ada,” a massive, strenuously written novel, often beautiful but ultimately meretricious.

From New York Times • Mar. 3, 2022

These are still to be had, but many modern ones are dyed with mineral dyes, and their bloom is meretricious.

From The Oriental Rug A Monograph on Eastern Rugs and Carpets, Saddle-Bags, Mats & Pillows, with a Consideration of Kinds and Classes, Types, Borders, Figures, Dyes, Symbols, etc. Together with Some Practical Advice to Collectors. by Ellwanger, W. D. (William DeLancey)