trumpery

[ truhm-puh-ree ]

noun

, plural trump·er·ies.

1. something without use or value; rubbish; trash; worthless stuff.
2. nonsense; twaddle:

   His usual conversation is pure trumpery.

3. Archaic. worthless finery.

adjective

1. of little or no value; trifling, worthless; rubbishy; trashy.

trumpery

/ ˈtrʌmpərɪ /

noun

1. foolish talk or actions
2. a useless or worthless article; trinket

adjective

1. useless or worthless

Word History and Origins

Origin of trumpery¹

1425–75; late Middle English trompery deceit < Middle French tromperie, equivalent to tromp ( er ) to deceive + -erie -ery

Word History and Origins

Origin of trumpery¹

C15: from Old French tromperie deceit, from tromper to cheat

Example Sentences

Back at the studio the anchors vacuously nod at Nandor's escalating trumpery, as they do when The Guide wrests Joanna's microphone away to parley on behalf of all vampires.

From Salon

It means repudiating false equivalences and "both sidesism" that gives equal weight to trumpery and truth.

From Salon

In such a world of trumpery, in an unreal city, a candidate appears and says, “I’ll make you a deal.”

From New York Times

I felt old and depleted and tired from worrying about my eldest son who works in a major hospital’s emergency room, tired of mendacious White House trumpetings and trumpery.

From Washington Post

“My play would have drawn twice as much without all the meretricious trumpery they’ve bedizened it with!”

From New York Times