Synonym Chooser

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

The words ostentatious and pretentious are common synonyms of showy. While all three words mean "given to excessive outward display," showy implies an imposing or striking appearance but usually suggests cheapness or poor taste.

the performers' showy costumes

When might ostentatious be a better fit than showy?

In some situations, the words ostentatious and showy are roughly equivalent. However, ostentatious stresses vainglorious display or parade.

the ostentatious summer homes of the rich

When can pretentious be used instead of showy?

The synonyms pretentious and showy 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

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 showy Don’t be shy about breaking out a showy belt buckle, vintage Western wear, and a bold cowboy hat. Karla Walsh, Southern Living, 3 May 2025 Alicia Vikander, 'The Danish Girl' (2016) Eddie Redmayne has the showier role as 19th-century trans pioneer Lili Elbe, the first person known to receive gender confirmation surgery. Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 25 Feb. 2025 In the primary suite, the chatelaine’s dressing room is a fashionista’s dream with a showy display for her shoes, in which every pair is presented like jewelry on a backlit white onyx Goldshire background. Tori Latham, Robb Report, 20 Mar. 2025 The main stairs lead up to a duplex designed as a rental, with a loggia over 49th Street and a showy centerpiece: a curving staircase with a chrome handrail designed by Sanders, who also designed tubular chrome furniture. Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 20 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for showy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for showy
Adjective
  • This gap is especially noticeable in close relationships, such as those with family and close friends, where shared understanding is critical to maintaining connection.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025
  • But her impact was immediately noticeable, said La Jolla High Principal Chuck Podhorsky.
    Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 May 2025
Adjective
  • This news dovetails with previous events, such as Trump welcoming the prominent antisemites Nick Fuentes and Kanye West to his home for dinner.
    Jelani Cobb, New Yorker, 25 May 2025
  • Many of the familiar names are not on it, including Christian Pulisic, the team’s most prominent player, who scored a memorable goal in the loss to Germany last time the U.S. team played in East Hartford.
    Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 24 May 2025
Adjective
  • Lowenstein examines how excessive leverage, overconfidence in mathematical models, and market forces beyond the fund's control led to one of the most dramatic financial failures in modern history.
    Robert Daugherty, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
  • Sirens’s ending is a solid reminder that, sometimes, the most dramatic stories can also be the most realistic.
    Caroline Framke, Vulture, 23 May 2025
Adjective
  • The Thunder will take a commanding 3-1 lead to their home court on Wednesday when the series shifts back to Oklahoma City.
    Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 27 May 2025
  • There were the three thrilling games for the Florida Panthers against the Carolina Hurricanes in this Eastern Conference final, too, so full of drama and nastiness and easy wins to take a commanding 3-0 lead.
    Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 27 May 2025
Adjective
  • All of this makes McDonald’s dominance even more remarkable; at a time when theater seems like it’s being consumed by celebrity, her career represents a commitment to the old-fashioned principles of artistry.
    Charlotte Alter, Time, 28 May 2025
  • The seemingly impossible trek took a remarkable 28 hours to complete.
    Don Yaeger, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
Adjective
  • Reserve this prime space for content that demonstrates your expertise or highlights impressive client results.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
  • Smartphone Deals The Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold is a lightweight, compact, beautifully designed foldable smartphone featuring impressive hardware, AI capabilities, and a bright, large screen perfect for watching videos and multitasking.
    Shubham Yewale, PC Magazine, 20 May 2025
Adjective
  • The Valkyries missed their first 17 3-point attempts and couldn’t find any consistency at the rim, but kept the game within striking distance throughout the second half.
    Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 22 May 2025
  • Per Schaeffer’s Senior Quantitative Analyst Rocky White, LNG has been within striking distance of this trendline five other times in the past three years.
    Schaeffer's Investment Research, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
Adjective
  • The goal is to embed digital functionality within eyewear in a manner that blends with contemporary style, aiming for a less conspicuous technological presence.
    Alex Levin, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
  • Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has been making the podcast rounds, and is set to headline a conspicuous town hall in Iowa later this month.
    S.E. Cupp, New York Daily News, 6 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Showy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/showy. Accessed 1 Jun. 2025.

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