Vaunted

Vaunted describes something praised or boasted about excessively, often to an exaggerated extent. It implies a claim of superiority, usually public, that might not be fully justified. The term suggests an item, accomplishment, or person whose merits are heavily emphasized, potentially overshadowing genuine flaws or shortcomings. Often, the vaunted entity is the subject of widespread acclaim or self-promotion. The usage of the word often implies some level of skepticism or irony toward the extravagant praise and can suggest the object of praise is somewhat overblown. The word can relate to either tangible or intangible things, from personal achievements to physical products and is used in a broad array of contexts to refer to anything from skills to products.

Vaunted meaning with examples

• The vaunted new sports car, proclaimed as the fastest on the market, proved disappointing in independent tests. Its fuel efficiency was far worse than advertised. The company was criticized for their marketing exaggerations and the public questioned the brand's future. Their vaunted status was clearly over-stated.
• Despite the vaunted promises of technological advancement, the new AI system repeatedly failed to deliver reliable results, often misinterpreting instructions and generating inaccurate outputs. Experts highlighted many flaws, and the software quickly lost its reputation. Many felt the marketing misrepresented the value.
• The company's vaunted corporate culture, emphasizing work-life balance, was severely undermined by reports of excessive overtime and a toxic work environment. Employees who spoke out, lost their employment. The firm's reputation dropped quickly, along with stock prices.
• The vaunted warrior, known throughout the kingdom for his strength, was ultimately defeated in combat by a much less experienced opponent, revealing the disparity between reputation and reality. The king ordered his execution for his deception.