1
as in to horse around
to engage in attention-getting playful or boisterous behavior
the athletes warmed up, happily showing off for the crowd before the match officially started
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in to display
to present so as to invite notice or attention
she just wants to show off her new jewelry
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in hotshot
informal + disapproving
a person who tries to impress other people with his or her abilities or possessions
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of show off
Nora Taylor, Architectural Digest, 24 Mar. 2025
The dog recently had to have some teeth removed, but that hasn't stopped him from showing off.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 2025
Sandra MacGregor, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
Brighton Beach can be a relentless show-off that way, your feelings be damned.
—Rachel Sonis, TIME, 18 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for show off
Verb
Some eagle-eyed viewers noticed the Duchess’s whimsical gardening gloves amongst the flowers and wicker baskets, and what was once just another planting tool is now an opportunity to show off your style.
—Nora Taylor, Architectural Digest, 24 Mar. 2025
The dog recently had to have some teeth removed, but that hasn't stopped him from showing off.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 2025
Noun
This one-of-a-kind cultural exchange program invites visitors to come into the homes of vetted, welcoming locals, who are likewise looking to meet travelers and show-off what their country has to offer in a unique way — and maybe just make a few new lifelong friendships along the way.
—Sandra MacGregor, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
Brighton Beach can be a relentless show-off that way, your feelings be damned.
—Rachel Sonis, TIME, 18 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for show off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for show off
Verb
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Elsewhere, two boys, Frank and Alain, get up to assorted mischief, sneaking onto a baseball diamond at night or horsing around on railroad tracks, although there are hints that Frank’s family may leave Cuba soon.—
Ben Kenigsberg,
New York Times,
9 Jan. 2025
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In the video, Payne is shown horsing around with a large outdoor crowd and his bandmates, encouraging the fans to quiet their screaming and then raise the volume all the way back up.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA TODAY,
3 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Dimon displays this principle by strengthening key relationships and positioning himself in a position of growth and development through frequent business travel and getting out of the office as much as possible.—
Julian Hayes II,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
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Exploring the veritable labyrinth of luxury—past the couture salon displaying Jean Paul Gaultier and Yves Saint Laurent treasures, the jewel-box bathrooms, and down the spiral staircase—guests eventually arrived at the storied Red Room.—
Freya Drohan,
Vogue,
21 Mar. 2025
Noun
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This time, the role of an aging legend is occupied by Tom Cruise’s fellow former heartthrob and Interview with the Vampire co-star Brad Pitt, who plays an F1 veteran who comes out of retirement to train a young hotshot (Damson Idris).—
A.A. Dowd,
Vulture,
6 Jan. 2025
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Ben McLane, first row far right, was part of the hotshot crew that responded to the Camp Fire in Paradise, Calif.—
Jacob Soboroff,
NBC News,
18 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Customers who attended the events were among the first to pick up the new Model Y. Prior-generation Model Y inventory gets big price cuts up to $6,900 Some of the prior-generation Model Y on the inventory page are discounted between $3,000 and $7,000.—
Brooke Crothers,
Forbes,
15 Mar. 2025
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Speaking as someone who is just as likely to slice up his fingers as cut a cucumber into thin, appetizing slices, a vegetable chopper can remove the work (and pain) that goes into cutting up vegetables, fruits and other foods.—
Ho Lin,
Miami Herald,
3 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Video shows large fire near London’s Heathrow Airport 00:30 2.—
Jade Walker,
CNN,
21 Mar. 2025
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An image that circulated showed Grondeau on a private jet flying home.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Those who crave the thrill of a victory may embody the competitor. Bigger, bolder personalities may shine as jokers, always fooling around, or as storytellers, bringing imagination to life.—
Julianna Bragg,
CNN,
23 Feb. 2025
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While Mark and Helly were fooling around, Helly wasn’t fulfilling her promise to go get the directions Irving left tucked behind Dylan’s motivational poster.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
21 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Threaten the rubber hand by attempting to stab it with a dagger, for instance, and the participants exhibit an involuntary startle or fear response.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
31 Mar. 2025
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But neither show exhibited the growth curve of High Potential, which closed out its freshman season with series-high multiplatform ratings.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
31 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The wise guys that summarily swooped him up were rewarded with 10 multiple-TD games and a QB8 finish on the year.—
Bill Reinhard,
New York Daily News,
30 Jan. 2025
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Swaggering ex-con Sullivan’s conscience manifests in the form of Father Jerry Connolly (Pat O’Brien), the childhood friend turned cleric who does his best to keep the wise guys in line and set another example for the lovable, mischievous Dead End Kids.—
Mike Barnes,
The Hollywood Reporter,
17 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Show off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/show%20off. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.
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