meretricious

adj

Etymology: From Latin meretrīcius, from meretrīx (“harlot, prostitute”), from mereō (“earn, deserve, merit”) (English merit) + -trīx (“(female agent)”) (English -trix).

1. Tastelessly gaudy; superficially attractive but having in reality no value or substance; falsely alluring.

   “I discovered even, by his conversation, when intoxicated that his favourites were wantons of the lowest class, who could by their vulgar, indecent mirth, which he called nature, rouse his sluggish spirits. Meretricious ornaments and manners were necessary to attract his attention.”

   “It might be reasonably objected elsewhere, that some of the tombs are meretricious and too fanciful; but the general brightness seems to justify it here; and Mount Vesuvius, separated from them by a lovely slope of ground, exalts and saddens the scene.”

2. Involving unlawful sexual connection or lack of consent by at least one party (said of a romantic relationship).
3. Of, or relating to prostitutes or prostitution.