bullshit
Lies and fabrications
Bullshit is talk, writing, or behavior that presents itself as meaningful but is hollow underneath.
Unlike a lie, which conceals a known truth, bullshit is often indifferent to truth altogether—the bullshitter cares only whether it sounds convincing.
Corporate jargon, pseudo-profound platitudes, and empty promises all qualify: That mission statement is pure bullshit.
Bullshit also describes things that are unfair or violate expected norms: Getting towed for that is bullshit.
And it can mean pointless burden: I spent all day on bullshit paperwork.
As a verb, to bullshit is to deceive with empty talk: Don't bullshit me.
Nonsense or stacked bed
- baloneyFoolish talk, slang
- hogwashFoolish or untrue talk
- balderdashSenseless talk or writing
- malarkeyInsincere foolish talk
rubbish · drivel · claptrap · poppycock · twaddle · hooey · gibberish · bunkum
Deliberate falsehood
- fabricationDeliberately untrue statement
- falsehoodDeliberate untrue statement
- hoaxDeliberate deception for effect
- fakeryDeliberate deception or pretense
sham · fraud · pretense · deceit · con · trickery · untruth · spin
Mild expletive
- hellUnderworld of suffering
- shitVulgar term for feces
- fuckCoarse all-purpose profanity
- crapWorthless material or nonsense
Christ · Jesus · God · dammit · no way · come on · seriously · unbelievable
Decorative addition or exaggeration
- overstatementClaim beyond the facts
- hyperboleRhetorical extreme exaggeration
- inflationSustained price level increase
- blusterLoud, empty boasting
boasting · puffery · grandstanding · spin · hype · bragging · hot air · big talk
Vulgar or obscene speech
- swearwordTaboo spoken obscenity
- obscenityIndecent word or act
- expletiveProfane emotional utterance
- cursingUsing profane language
crude · coarse · foul language · four-letter word · taboo · offensive · impolite · dirty word
Denial of acceptance
- disbeliefRejection of truth claims
- skepticismDisposition toward doubt
- scornHostile dismissive feeling
- contemptDisdainful disregard
derision · ridicule · incredulity · refutation · denial · repudiation · eye-roll · scoff
bunk
Nonsense or stacked bed
- baloneyFoolish talk, slang
- hogwashFoolish or untrue talk
- balderdashSenseless talk or writing
malarkey · rubbish · drivel · claptrap · poppycock · twaddle · hooey · gibberish · bunkum · piffle
lie
Deliberate falsehood
- fabricationDeliberately untrue statement
- falsehoodDeliberate untrue statement
- hoaxDeliberate deception for effect
fakery · sham · fraud · pretense · deceit · con · trickery · untruth · spin · misinformation
damn
Mild expletive
crap · Christ · Jesus · God · dammit · no way · come on · seriously · unbelievable · ridiculous
embellishment
Decorative addition or exaggeration
- overstatementClaim beyond the facts
- hyperboleRhetorical extreme exaggeration
- inflationSustained price level increase
bluster · boasting · puffery · grandstanding · spin · hype · bragging · hot air · big talk · showboating
profanity
Vulgar or obscene speech
cursing · crude · coarse · foul language · four-letter word · taboo · offensive · impolite · dirty word · cussing
rejection
Denial of acceptance
- disbeliefRejection of truth claims
- skepticismDisposition toward doubt
- scornHostile dismissive feeling
contempt · derision · ridicule · incredulity · refutation · denial · repudiation · eye-roll · scoff · pfft
bullshithonesty
Truthfulness, sincerity
sincerity · candor · straight talk · forthrightness · truthfulness
- bullshit artistHabitual persuasive liar
- bullshit bingoGame tracking overused phrases
bullshit artist, bullshit artists, bullshitter, bullshitting, bullshitted, bullshits