OSTENTATIOUS Synonyms: 162 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'ostentatious' different from other adjectives like it?

The words pretentious and showy are common synonyms of ostentatious . While all three words mean "given to excessive outward display," ostentatious stresses vainglorious display or parade. // the ostentatious summer homes of the rich

Q: When is it sensible to use 'pretentious' instead of 'ostentatious'?

The synonyms pretentious and ostentatious are sometimes interchangeable, but pretentious implies an appearance of importance not justified by the thing's value or the person's standing. // a pretentious parade of hard words

Q: When could 'showy' be used to replace 'ostentatious'?

The words showy and ostentatious are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, showy implies an imposing or striking appearance but usually suggests cheapness or poor taste. // the performers' showy costumes

ostentatious

adjective

ˌä-stən-ˈtā-shəs

Definition of ostentatious next

as in loud

excessively showy wears an ostentatious diamond ring on his little finger

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in arrogant

self-consciously trying to present an appearance of grandeur or importance an ostentatious man who desperately wants to impress people with his newly acquired wealth

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word ostentatious different from other adjectives like it?

The words pretentious and showy are common synonyms of ostentatious. While all three words mean "given to excessive outward display," ostentatious stresses vainglorious display or parade.

the ostentatious summer homes of the rich

When is it sensible to use pretentious instead of ostentatious?

The synonyms pretentious and ostentatious are sometimes interchangeable, but pretentious implies an appearance of importance not justified by the thing's value or the person's standing.

a pretentious parade of hard words

When could showy be used to replace ostentatious?

The words showy and ostentatious are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, showy implies an imposing or striking appearance but usually suggests cheapness or poor taste.

the performers' showy costumes

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of ostentatious In turn, human existence is at its most agonizingly devastating not in the big picture of an ostentatious catastrophe occurs, but in the individual tragedies that go unnoticed every day. —

Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 23 Jan. 2025 According to Butler and Desai, chick lit tends to celebrate an ostentatious culture of globe-trotting shopping sprees—mainly in Western centers of fashion and power, such as London and New York. —

H.m.a. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 8 Jan. 2025 The actor’s approach to method dressing was expansive: from a modest 1997 Christian Dior skirt-set patterned with delicate daisies, to ostentatious power-clashing pieces from Christopher John Rogers. —

Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 5 Dec. 2024 Hyman and his team also concocted a devilish backstory for Tony to explain some of his ostentatious wealth. —

Mark Peikert, IndieWire, 29 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for ostentatious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ostentatious

Adjective

The controversy grew loud enough that Mackie took to Instagram a few days later to clarify his remarks.

— Zack Sharf, Variety, 10 Feb. 2025
Also garnering a Grammy and Peabody, the show centered on a gifted teen trying to come of age in a chaotic household full of loud and oft-dimwitted grown-ups and siblings.

— Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 10 Feb. 2025