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Definition of astroturfing

astroturfing

/ˈæs.troʊˌtɜːr.fɪŋ/
as · tro · turf · ing
Past Simple:astroturfed
•
Past Participle:astroturfed
•
Present Participle:astroturfing
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astroturfing Lexical Profile

astroturfing Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The deceptive practice of disguising an orchestrated marketing or public relations campaign as a spontaneous, organic grassroots movement by concealing its financial sponsors.

Example

"Investigators revealed that the flood of supportive letters to the editor was actually a coordinated campaign of corporate astroturfing."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for astroturfing

• verb

1

To conduct a deceptive public relations or political campaign designed to create the false impression of widespread grassroots support (present participle of astroturf).

Example

"The firm was caught astroturfing online review platforms with thousands of fake customer testimonials."

• Nearby Words

astrophysical
astrophysicist
astroturf
astroturfing
astute
astutely
astuteness

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the 1980s by US Senator Lloyd Bentsen as a pun on AstroTurf, a popular brand of synthetic carpeting designed to resemble natural grass, contrasting manufactured lobbying campaigns with authentic 'grassroots' movements.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Astroturfing. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/astroturfing
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