Meretricious — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˌmer-ə-ˈtri-shəs/ mer·e·tri·cious

Meaning & Definition of Meretricious

Meretricious (adjective)

  1. tastelessly showy and falsely attractive
  2. superficially significant, pretentious
  3. of or relating to a person who engages in sex acts and especially sexual intercourse in exchange for pay

Meretricious (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. attractive in a cheap or false way

    "meretricious beauty lacking in any real substance"

    similar: flashy, garish, gaudy, glitzy, jazzy, loud, swank, tawdry, arresting, bodacious, bold, brilliant, catchy, commanding, conspicuous, dramatic, emphatic, eye-catching, flamboyant, grabby, kenspeckle (chiefly Scottish), marked, noisy, noticeable, prominent, pronounced, remarkable, showy, splashy, striking, detectable, discernible, observable, perceptible, recognizable, visible, outstanding, salient, distinguished, eminent, impressive, notable, noteworthy, highlighted, spotlighted, flagrant, glaring, howling, screaming, highfalutin, ostentatious, pretentious, extravagant, fancy, florid, glittery, spectacular, opulent, ornate, overdone, overwrought, absorbing, engrossing, enthralling, fascinating, interesting, riveting
    opposite: subtle, concealed, hidden, shrouded, dim, faint, obscure, insignificant, undistinguished, unimportant, modest, unaffected, unassuming, unpretentious, conservative, plain, quiet, simple, understated, muted, restrained, subdued, toned-down, unflashy, inconspicuous, unemphatic, unflamboyant, unnoticeable, unobtrusive, unremarkable, unshowy

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Meretricious

The most common words with a similar meaning to Meretricious:

Chiefly Scottish: kenspeckle
flashy, garish, gaudy, glitzy, jazzy, loud, swank, tawdry, arresting, bodacious, bold, brilliant, catchy, commanding, conspicuous, dramatic, emphatic, eye-catching, flamboyant, grabby, marked, noisy, noticeable, prominent, pronounced, remarkable, showy, splashy, striking, detectable, discernible, observable, perceptible, recognizable, visible, outstanding, salient, distinguished, eminent, impressive

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Meretricious

Words with the opposite meaning of Meretricious:

subtle, concealed, hidden, shrouded, dim, faint, obscure, insignificant, undistinguished, unimportant, modest, unaffected, unassuming, unpretentious, conservative, plain, quiet, simple, understated, muted, restrained, subdued, toned-down, unflashy, inconspicuous, unemphatic, unflamboyant, unnoticeable, unobtrusive, unremarkable

Word Forms of Meretricious

Derived words: meretriciously (adverb), meretriciousness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Meretricious

borrowed from Latin meretrīcius of women who engage in sex for financial considerations (adjective derivative of meretrīc-, meretrīx woman who engages in sex acts for financial considerations, from mere-, stem of merēre to earn + -trīc-, -trīx, feminine agent suffix) + -ous merit:1

First known use: 1626

Frequently Asked Questions about Meretricious

What does "Meretricious" mean?

"Meretricious" means tastelessly showy and falsely attractive. As an adjective, it is defined as: tastelessly showy and falsely attractive.

What is another word for "Meretricious"?

Other words for "Meretricious" include flashy, garish, gaudy, glitzy, jazzy, loud, swank and tawdry. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Meretricious" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Meretricious"?

There are 67 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Meretricious". Common alternatives include flashy, garish, gaudy, glitzy, jazzy, loud, swank, tawdry, arresting and bodacious.

What is the opposite of "Meretricious"?

Antonyms of "Meretricious" include subtle, concealed, hidden, shrouded, dim, faint, obscure and insignificant.

How do you use "Meretricious" in a sentence?

Examples of "Meretricious" in a sentence: "meretricious beauty lacking in any real substance".

Is "Meretricious" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Meretricious" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Meretricious"?

"Meretricious" is pronounced /ˌmer-ə-ˈtri-shəs/ and divided into syllables as mer·e·tri·cious.

What is the origin of the word "Meretricious"?

"Meretricious" comes from borrowed from Latin meretrīcius of women who engage in sex for financial considerations (adjective derivative of meretrīc-, meretrīx woman who engages in sex acts for financial considerations, from mere-, stem of merēre to earn + -trīc-, -trīx, feminine agent suffix) + -ous merit:1. First known use: 1626.