Definition of spectaclenext
1
as in pageant
an elaborate, visually exciting show or event the multimedia spectacles that have become established parts of the opening and closing ceremonies for the Olympic Games

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in glass
spectacles plural a pair of lenses set in a frame that is held in place with ear supports and which are usually worn to correct vision bought a pair of spectacles with nonprescription lenses simply to look more intelligent

Synonyms & Similar 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 spectacle But one thing never did change — Duke-Kentucky stood as the ultimate endgame spectacle, at least in my scorebook. Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2026 Wake early to catch the spectacle of sunrise before driving 30 minutes to the neighboring Santa Teresa. Meghan Palmer, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Mar. 2026 The plan had been simple and private, but quickly turned into a spectacle. Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 29 Mar. 2026 Fairchild summed up the double-sided spectacle. David Caraccio march 28, Sacbee.com, 28 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for spectacle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spectacle
Noun
  • Guests can also catch lucha libre wrestling, an exotic car show and a chihuahua beauty pageant.
    Aviva Bechky, Houston Chronicle, 28 Mar. 2026
  • Miss Grand Thailand pageant contestant had an unforgettable malfunction while on stage.
    Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 28 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • There are bespoke statement headboards and Murano glass chandeliers.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Alarmed civic officials across the West have already begun ordering restrictions on watering lawns, cleaning cars and even whether restaurant patrons get served glasses of water.
    Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Paul and Monique are part of the concept team behind the current exhibit Street Food City, which opened at Brooklyn’s Museum of Food and Drink in December 2025.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 31 Mar. 2026
  • In the coming years, Mello said her team is looking to expand Woolsey’s reach even further by renovating an area of the museum — which currently displays historic agricultural equipment — to be a child-centric exhibit combining the history of Sacramento children with play and interaction.
    Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 31 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The exhibition is free and will remain open through the end of the year, serving as a reminder that traces of the nation's founding history remain embedded throughout Brooklyn.
    Hannah Kliger, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
  • The exhibition pairs their work together, showing the value of shocking style in a moment of conservatism.
    Rachel Tashjian, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • And 2026 is already off to a bright start, with a buzzy debut novel from Jennette McCurdy, plenty of celebrity memoirs and sci-fi spectaculars.
    Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2026
  • Nothing this spectacular happens by accident.
    Jordan Robinson, SELF, 19 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The Heat made a third-quarter push to get back into the game, putting together its own impressive shooting display in the period.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Together, these cosmic ingredients could keep auroras active tonight, offering skywatchers another chance to glimpse the colorful display dancing across higher-latitude skies.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Cool and calm weather can extend the length of bloom, while rain and wind bring the extravaganza to an end more quickly.
    Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Stratford Literary Festival As the birthplace of Shakespeare, Stratford-upon-Avon is the perfect setting for a literary extravaganza.
    Irenie Forshaw, TheWeek, 26 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Spectacle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spectacle. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.

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