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
The whole 50th ballyhoo led up to an all-star three-plus hour anniversary show that premiered Sunday (naturally), February 16. — Rance Collins, IndieWire, 9 Aug. 2025 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
Verb
Nuclear energy was ballyhooed back in the 1930s as a way to feed the world. — Sean Woods, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2025 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
  • With some flashing lights, this thing flying around in the sky would cause quite a commotion.
    — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 2 July 2026
  • Any browns feeding there are less likely to have been spooked by the commotion.
    — Tom Opre, Outdoor Life, 2 July 2026
Definition of commotion
Noun
  • Obviously being the second pick in the draft there’s a ton of expectation and hype to go along with that.
    — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 5 July 2026
  • Congress and the president should accept Altman’s offer, write careful rules around sovereign wealth fund governance, and create an institution that can outlast the current AI hype cycle.
    — James Broughel, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
Definition of hype
Verb
  • An expired job ad for an experienced English interpreter at the UN advertised a salary range between $131,084 and $171,644.
    — Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 2 July 2026
  • The report alleges that Freedom 250 was advertised as an addition to America250 rather than as its replacement, creating confusion.
    — Rachel Treisman, NPR, 2 July 2026
Definition of advertise
Verb
  • Good Chop is dedicated to providing the finest cuts of meat while promoting sustainable practices.
    — Rachel Cortez, USA Today, 4 July 2026
  • The company threw a lavish caviar party at Cannes and in May hosted panels promoting its cinematic tool at Amazon’s AI on the Lot event in Culver City.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
Definition of promote
Noun
  • Even tiny electromagnetic disturbances can disrupt the quantum states that perform calculations, reducing the accuracy and reliability of the system.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 July 2026
  • However, about 15 minutes into the flight, a pilot reported a passenger disturbance to air traffic control.
    — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026
Definition of disturbance
Noun
  • Newspaper editors are often invited, presumably to curry a little favour and encourage publicity.
    — Nick Miller, New York Times, 4 July 2026
  • With all of the wedding publicity, Lawrence doubts whether the Watch Hill house offers enough security for the newlyweds.
    — Bella DeCrescenzo, USA Today, 4 July 2026
Definition of publicity
Verb
  • The team behind the popular and acclaimed Buckhead restaurant the Chastain has announced a second concept opening in 2027.
    — Henri Hollis, AJC.com, 29 June 2026
  • The first season of Beef wasn’t just critically acclaimed; it was widely hailed as an avatar of post-pandemic rage.
    — Joe Reid, Vulture, 27 June 2026
Definition of acclaim
Verb
  • Since the band was formed, the group has sold over 100 million records worldwide.
    — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026
  • SparkHouse’s cafe and bar is open to the public and sells tea, coffee (try the honey matcha latte), wine, beer cocktails and small bites.
    — Kailyn Brown, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 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 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on ballyhoo

Nglish: Translation of ballyhoo for Spanish Speakers

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