meretriciously

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Sure! Let's break down the word "meretriciously."

Basic Definition:

"Meretriciously" is an adverb that means to do something in a way that is flashy, showy, or attractive but lacks real value or integrity. It often has a negative connotation, suggesting that something looks good on the outside but is not genuine or of high quality.

Usage Instructions:

You use "meretriciously" to describe actions or appearances that are designed to impress but are insubstantial or deceptive.

Example Sentence:

• "The boat is meretriciously decorated," meaning that the decorations are flashy and eye-catching but may not be meaningful or of good quality.

Advanced Usage:

In literature or criticism, you might find "meretriciously" used to describe art, writing, or even behavior that aims to attract attention without substance.

Word Variants:

• Meretricious (adjective): Describes something that is showy but lacking in value or integrity.
  • Example: "The meretricious design of the building drew many visitors, but it was poorly built."
• Meretriciousness (noun): The quality of being meretricious.
  • Example: "The meretriciousness of the advertisement was evident; it promised much but delivered little."

Different Meanings:

• Meretricious can also relate to being associated with prostitution or having a superficial or tawdry quality.

Synonyms:

• Flashy
• Showy
• Gaudy
• Tawdry
• Superficial
• Specious (which means misleadingly attractive)

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

While there are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs directly related to "meretriciously," you might encounter phrases that imply similar meanings, such as: - "All that glitters is not gold." This means that just because something looks good doesn't mean it is valuable or true.

Summary:

So, when you hear or see the word "meretriciously," think of it as describing something that tries hard to impress but lacks real depth or quality.

Academic

Adverb

1. in a meretricious manner
   • the boat is meretriciously decorated

Synonyms

• flashily