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double-talk
noun
dou·ble-talk
ˈdə-bəl-ˌtȯk
1
: language that appears to be earnest and meaningful but in fact is a mixture of sense and nonsense
2
: inflated, involved, and often deliberately ambiguous language
double-talk
intransitive verb
double-talker
noun
Synonyms
Examples of double-talk in a Sentence
the reporter listened to the senator's double-talk for about 30 seconds, and then repeated the question
the man on the sidewalk rattled off some double-talk, shoved the petition in my face, and before I realized it, I had added my signature to the list
Recent Examples on the Web
Driving the news: The statement was published only in English on the Facebook page of the Israeli Prime Minister's Office — potentially another case of double-talk by Netanyahu.
—
Barak Ravid, Axios, 27 Sep. 2024
The GOP Senate candidate in Arizona, whose brand is a combative, never-back-down MAGA politics, has adopted a position on the issue that is nearly indistinguishable from that of double-talking Democrats.
—
Rich Lowry, National Review, 14 Apr. 2024
Pat Paulsen, a master of dry wit, delivered droll, double-talk editorials on social issues before mounting a presidential campaign in 1968 with the Straight Talkin’ American Government (STAG) Party.
—
Fred A. Bernstein, Washington Post, 27 Dec. 2023
What new form of narrative, what gory amalgam of truth and spectacle, what double-talking rough beast approaches?
—
James Parker, The Atlantic, 3 Oct. 2023
If his pre-prison projects were almost entirely freestyled, these songs are more tightly written, honoring the fallen, indicting the double-talk of the industry, powered by the energy of a bowstring being pulled back for a half-decade.
—
Jeff Weiss, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2023
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Word History
First Known Use
1936, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near double-talk
Cite this Entry
“Double-talk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/double-talk. Accessed 14 Dec. 2024.
Kids Definition
double-talk
noun
dou·ble-talk
ˈdəb-əl-ˌtȯk
1
: language that seems to make sense but is actually a mixture of sense and nonsense : gibberish
2
: language that is purposely ambiguous
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