empty promise
Words without follow-through
An empty promise is a commitment made without intention or ability to fulfill it.
The emptiness suggests hollowness—words with nothing behind them: Politicians are full of empty promises.
Unlike a broken promise, which may have been sincere initially, an empty promise implies the speaker knew from the start they wouldn't deliver.
- pretenseDeceptive outward show
- lip serviceInsincere expression of agreement
- all talkPromises without follow-through
- deceitDeliberate misleading of others
- broken vowViolated solemn commitment
disappointment · duplicity · falsehood · fraudulence · political rhetoric · insincerity · silver tongue · distrust · trust issues · betrayal · bait and switch · fine print · fabrication · pinky swear · letdown · propaganda · misrepresentation · disillusionment
- Empty Gestureslip service, crocodile tears, token effort, going through motions, rubber stamp
- empty talkidle talk, hot air, idle chatter, drivel, babble
- letdownsletdown, disappointment, anticlimax, dud, flop
- wild goose chasesgoose chase, fool's errand, snipe hunt, merry chase, futile effort
- deceptionlie, lies, lying, fake, fraud
- deceptionslie, lies, lying, deceit, decoy
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