CLAPTRAP Synonyms: 176 Similar and Opposite Words

claptrap 1 of 2

noun

ˈklap-ˌtrap

Definition of claptrap

as in nonsense

language, behavior, or ideas that are absurd and contrary to good sense the idea that you can get a cold from not dressing warmly is claptrap

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claptrap

2 of 2

adjective

as in mechanical

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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 claptrap

Noun

Behavioral-analysis claptrap abounds. — Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 20 Mar. 2026 The show is also virtually devoid of romantic escapades, a good thing since Dumas’ novel is filled with a lot of sentimental claptrap about fighting for defenseless women’s honor or seducing virtuous maidens or going to war due to the physical beauty of a monarch. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 11 Mar. 2026 This is Spielberg at his most pure and sensational, an undiluted cinematic experience that lacks any of his sentimental claptrap and steers clear of his tendency for multiple endings. — Tim Grierson, Vulture, 20 June 2025 Many Red Sox fans have had it up to here with that building-for-the-future claptrap, so much so that expectations were scary low coming into the 2024 season. — Steve Buckley, The Athletic, 31 July 2024 See All Example Sentences for claptrap

Recent Examples of Synonyms for claptrap

Noun

Seeing her daughter in that state, babbling nonsense and barely able to stand, Letizia had goggled with the watery eyes of a sickly old lady.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Aug. 2026
As the latest chapter in the epic British-American poem known as Fleetwood Mac,Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks are back to tolerating each other’s nonsense in a sexy way.

— Devon Ivie, Vulture, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of nonsense

Adjective

To scale up capacity, operators simply add more cells to the stack, and no need to redesign heavy mechanical housings.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 6 Aug. 2026
Last month, a Brazilian air force probe confirmed that a combination of severe icing conditions, as well as mechanical system failures and pilot distractions, contributed to the country’s most deadly air crash since 2007.

— ABC News, ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of mechanical

Noun

Marcy had her hair tied up with a bow made from nylon cord and was bent over a fold-up kitchen counter rearranging wet garbage.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Aug. 2026
Polls show Farage is still likely to win, but that Count Binface — a spoof candidate who wears a garbage pail on his head — may get around 20-percent of the vote.

— Lauren Frayer, NPR, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of garbage

Adjective

Some players cited the league’s partnerships with sports betting companies as hypocritical or even laying the foundation for this sort of scandal.

— Zack Meisel, New York Times, 28 July 2026
Amendments placed on the ballot by lawmakers would still need only a statewide majority — a distinction critics call hypocritical.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 27 July 2026

Definition of hypocritical

Noun

This comes at the expense of no movement in the wrist, but to be fair, having the lightsaber pointed in any other direction would look rubbish.

— Matt Gardner, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Only construction waste will be accepted at the landfill such as, brush and rubbish, concrete, brick, rock, wood, paper, plastics, cardboard and roofing shingles and tiles.

— Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 July 2026

Definition of rubbish

Adjective

Creighton jokes, explaining that making the film accessible to people is far more interesting to her than some sort of contrived celebrity impact campaign.

— Zac Ntim, Deadline, 7 Aug. 2026
The most contrived shift, however, is this season’s sudden distance from the men’s team.

— Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of contrived

Adjective

Jared Sternberg, founder of Gondwana Ecotours, argues that comparing Alaska to Phoenix is meaningless.

— Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026
Sure, Thursday’s Pro Football Hall of Fame game between the Panthers and Arizona Cardinals was nothing more than a meaningless exhibition in which few, if any, actual starters played.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026