claptrap

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That's why this "peace begets peace" is idealistic claptrap which is not supported by any evidence. on 01 / 26 / 2009, -2 / +6 "Humans are in a natural state of violence"

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Definitions (7)

Toggle American Heritage definitions American Heritage Dictionary (1)

  1. noun Pretentious, insincere, or empty language: "I hate ... that air/Of claptrap, which your recent poets prize” (Byron).

Toggle Century definitions Century Dictionary (3)

Toggle GNU Webster definitions GNU Webster's 1913 (2)

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Examples (50)

  • Even in my muzzy state this seemed to me sheer romantic claptrap, a Victorian fancy akin to white slavery, but it was just possible that He might believe it. —  A Monstrous Regiment of Women - Laurie R. King - Russell-Holmes 02
  • Somewhere in that roly-poly wad of derivative claptrap was an authentic original waiting to be recognized, as well as a tough little nut. —  EQMM,June2008
  • Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is a horrible movie in two profound ways: its apparent claim to be faithful to the original book is complete claptrap, and it is a lousy movie in general. —  Challenging Destiny #18
  • Sadly, this claptrap was spawned in 2006 by a group of families in North Carolina. —  Stop The ACLU
  • "Saving Private Ryan" claptrap is the entire problem with America. —  StrategyPage.com
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Roget's II Roget's II: The New Thesaurus

Allen's Allen's Synonyms and Antonyms

Used in the same context Used in the Same Context

peacenik ·  guesswork ·  coxcombs ·  bosh ·  nordo ·  hogwash ·  twaddle ·  primitivism ·  backpackers ·  gustatory ·  fustian ·  baloney
Roget's II: The New Thesaurus, Third Edition by the Editors of the American Heritage® Dictionary. Copyright © 2003, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Etymologies (1)

Toggle American Heritage etymologies American Heritage Dictionary (1)

  1. Obsolete claptrap, a theatrical trick to win applause : clap1 + trap1.
 

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/ˈklæptræp/
by American Heritage

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