1. superficially attractive: attractive in a superficial or vulgar manner but without real value
(
formal
)
meretricious extras that don't really add to the car's value
2. misleadingly plausible: seemingly plausible or significant, but actually insincere or false
(
formal
)
Don't be swayed by this meretricious argument in the project's favor.
3. of prostitutes: relating to or like a prostitute
(
archaic
)
[Early 17th century. < Latin meretricius< meretric- "prostitute" < mereri "serve for hire"]