ballyhoo 1 of 2

noun

ˈba-lē-ˌhü How to pronounce ballyhoo (audio)
Definition of ballyhoonext
1
as in commotion
a state of noisy, confused activity it turned out that the ballyhoo was the result of a movie being filmed on the street

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hype
information released to the media that is designed to gain public attention or support for a person, business, or cause the usual ballyhoo intended to fill the seats at megaplexes around the country

Synonyms & Similar Words

ballyhoo

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to advertise
to praise or publicize lavishly and often excessively that reviewer always ballyhoos any book by one of his pet authors

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to promote
to provide publicity for the TV networks usually spend the summer months ballyhooing their new fall shows

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ballyhoo
Noun
Reps also seemed to walk back Lawson’s earlier ballyhoo, floating the idea of projecting only conservation messages rather than symbols of corporate greed and ambition. — Mark Hay, Popular Science, 10 Dec. 2025 The chefs have clearly helped Miami diners expand their palates, serving unusual dishes that could potentially make diners uneasy, like the ballyhoo, which Martinez said should return to the menu once the season starts in a few weeks. — Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
After being delayed for more than three weeks, the graduation of more than 80 sheriff cadets was finally allowed — and ballyhooed as the largest academy class in the agency’s history. — Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 16 July 2026 And Jennifer Maas previews The Game Awards to explain how the event has grown into the Oscars for video games by blending kudos and ballyhoo. — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 11 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ballyhoo
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ballyhoo
  1. commotion
  2. hype
  3. advertise
  4. promote
  5. disturbance
  6. publicity
  7. acclaim
  8. sell
Noun
  • In the commotion, she was briefly separated from her 85-year-old mother, who lives with her.
    — Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
  • That allowed passengers to hear the commotion and discover what was happening.
    — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of commotion
Noun
  • Meanwhile, those outside the program are wondering whether Manning and Sarkisian can finally produce a performance that matches the hype.
    — Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
  • While the grocer has several locations across Los Angeles, its Beverly Hills outpost is the biggest scene and a tourist attraction in its own right, drawing visitors who make a point of stopping in to see what the hype is about.
    — Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of hype
Verb
  • The subsequent furor is about hiding it from the public and about a brazen plea to keep the Democratic Party and three of its candidates from advertising those facts.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The person advertising the dumpster collects money through a payment app and appears to be the provider.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of advertise
Verb
  • Chater doesn’t disagree, particularly as promoting the album has prompted more conversations about the subject.
    — Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Abe Flores, deputy director of Create CA, a nonprofit advocacy group that promotes arts education for California students, said the challenges SCUSD cited were not unique to the district.
    — Chaewon Chung Updated October 21, Sacbee.com, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of promote
Noun
  • The vote, which is veto-proof, was met with praise by animal rights groups and park advocates who have long called for the ban citing several incidents where horses crashed or caused disturbances.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • There’s also a second disturbance several hundred miles east-southeast of Bermuda that could develop through Friday while moving north-northeast, the hurricane center advisory said.
    — Robin Webb, Sun Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of disturbance
Noun
  • In addition to the mayor, the village’s public information officer previously handled publicity for the track and the mayor of Ruidoso Downs previously oversaw its security.
    — Abe Streep, ProPublica, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The more publicity that is out there, the more folks that could be potential jurors are going to hear it.
    — Kaicey Baylor, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of publicity
Verb
  • Its award-winning and critically acclaimed films reach 300 million people worldwide in 180 countries and 33 languages across the global National Geographic channels and direct-to-consumer platforms Disney+ and Hulu.
    — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The film recently premiered at the New York Film Festival to acclaim and will be released theatrically by Neon on Christmas Day.
    — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of acclaim
Verb
  • Her husband started selling his collection of vintage rock band T-shirts online to help make ends meet.
    — Amy L. Wong, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Multiple shellstock tags from prior days were not labeled with the last date the shellfish was sold.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of sell

Browse Nearby Words

balls of wax
ballyhoo
ballyhooed
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Cite this Entry

“Ballyhoo.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ballyhoo. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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