meretricious

• Qualifie quelque chose d'attrayant en apparence mais sans valeur réelle ; de mauvais goût ou voyant, souvent pour attirer l'attention.

Describes something that is superficially attractive but of little real value; tawdry or gaudy.

1. Relating to a prostituteC2formal

   Of, relating to, or characteristic of a prostitute.

   Relatif à une prostituée

   • The novel's description of the meretricious lifestyle was stark and unflinching.
   • He was accused of having a meretricious relationship with the actress.
   • The play explored the meretricious world of the city's red-light district.

2. Tastelessly showyC2formal

   Showy but cheap and of poor quality; vulgarly attractive.

   Clinquant, de mauvais goût

   • The room was decorated with meretricious ornaments that looked expensive but were not.
   • Her meretricious jewelry sparkled under the lights, but it was clearly fake.
   • The building's facade was a meretricious display of gold leaf and cheap marble.

   Synonymesbrassycheapflashygarishgaudyloudostentatiouspretentioustawdryvulgar

   Antonymesausterechasteclassyelegantmodestplainquietrefinedtastefulunadorned

3. Deceptively pleasingC2formal

   Based on pretense or deception; having a false appearance of value or truth.

   Séduisant de manière trompeuse

   • The politician's meretricious promises won him votes but led to disappointment.
   • The advertisement used meretricious claims to sell the product.
   • His meretricious charm fooled many people into trusting him.

   Synonymesdeceptivefalseflashygaudymisleadingostentatiouspretentiousshowyspecioustawdry

   Antonymesauthenticgenuinehonestrealsinceresubstantialtruthful