What is the term that refers to legal exaggeration of praise just short of deception?

The term that refers to legal exaggeration of praise just short of deception is puffery. Puffery is a marketing practice that involves the use of subjective claims that are not meant to be taken literally and are generally considered to be an opinion rather than a factual statement. This means that while puffery may be exaggerated and overly positive, it is not outright falsehood or deceptive in a legal sense.

For example, a company might boast that its product is "the best in the world," which is an opinion rather than a verifiable fact. Puffery is often seen in advertisements and promotional materials, where companies aim to create a positive impression without providing concrete, quantifiable evidence for the claims they make. This distinction is crucial in marketing, as it allows businesses to promote their products enthusiastically while staying within legal boundaries.

Other options, like hype, tend to imply a level of excitement that doesn’t necessarily clarify the legal and ethical nuances of what constitutes acceptable promotional language. Exaggerated claims can sometimes cross the line into deception, making puffery the more accurate choice for this definition. Promotional strategies refer to broader marketing efforts and do not specifically address the nuances of exaggeration in language.