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

Relevance

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
  • The Canadian singer caused a commotion with her ensemble, showing off a head-to-toe Alaïa ensemble from the upcoming Archetypes spring 2027 collection.
    — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 29 Aug. 2026
  • There was no illness or injury, Krauss said, but the dog seemed ready to step away from the crowds and commotion.
    — Lauren Paige Richeson, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of commotion
Noun
  • The Vikings signed Price as an undrafted free agent in 2025 with minimal hype.
    — Alec Lewis, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Instead, the Horned Frogs fell to UNC 15-10, joined a growing list of teams that entered the Aer Lingus Classic in Dublin with plenty of hype only to endure what could be a season-defining loss.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of hype
Verb
  • Virtue Asia will present Why Brands Need Entertainment, Not More Content, exploring how brands can move from advertising around culture to actively creating the stories and characters audiences choose to follow.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026
  • And although Engwe advertises a 55-mile maximum range, that figure assumes ideal conditions.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of advertise
Verb
  • When applied to the scalp, certain peptides can send signals that promote follicle function, extend the growth phase of the hair cycle, and strengthen the tissue surrounding the follicle.
    — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Trump has also promoted the destruction of Iran's nuclear facilities and navy, and the reduction in missile and drone capabilities, as measures of success.
    — Bart Jansen, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of promote
Noun
  • The smallest robot was the most agile of the three, and the largest one was the best at maintaining its trajectory when faced with disturbances meant to throw it off course.
    — Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 27 Aug. 2026
  • On Thursday a tropical disturbance managed to overcome headwinds to become a tropical storm.
    — Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of disturbance
Noun
  • Jeff Hiller’s surprise Supporting Actor in a Comedy win for Somebody Somewhere was the best publicity that show ever got, all from just one award.
    — Joe Reid, Vulture, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Getting singled out by Sacha Baron Cohen‘s most infamous character turned out to be good publicity, not an insult, for Ed Sheeran.
    — Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of publicity
Verb
  • All of a Sudden premiered to acclaim at Cannes in May, where co-stars Virginie Efira and Tao Okamoto shared the best actress prize.
    — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Starring Birbiglia, Keegan-Michael Key, Gillian Jacobs, Kate Micucci, Tami Sagher and Chris Gethard, that critically acclaimed SXSW dramedy released in 2016.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of acclaim
Verb
  • The Yellow Affair has also sold Árru to international territories including Angel Distribution (Denmark), Bíó Paradís (Iceland), Filmwelt (Germany, Austria), Fivia (Ex-Yugoslavia), Otaku Mtü (Baltics), Palace (Australia / New Zealand).
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Tatcha’s top three stock keeping units today include its $74 Dewy Skin Cream, one jar of which is sold every 30 seconds, as well as the lightweight Water Cream and Rice Wash face wash, priced at $74 and $40, respectively.
    — Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of sell

Browse Nearby Words

balls of wax
ballyhoo
ballyhooed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ballyhoo.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ballyhoo. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of dissonant

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All