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spectacle

noun

ˈspek-ti-kəl How to pronounce spectacle (audio)
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 Where Maya can’t help but explode into spectacle, Anjali absorbs the world around her. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 17 Sep. 2026 In its 35th season, DWTS continues to evolve while retaining the particular mix of spectacle, competition, and camp that gives it a cross-generational appeal. — Lily Moayeri, Rolling Stone, 16 Sep. 2026 This is the first time a Korean production has attempted a spectacle of this scale. — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2026 What Could Be Next Expect the pre-loved runway to become a recurring format, not a one-off spectacle. — Ashley Lynch, Charlotte Observer, 16 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for spectacle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spectacle
  1. pageant
  2. glass
  3. exhibit
  4. exhibition
  5. spectacular
  6. display
  7. extravaganza
Noun
  • Because JonBenét had won several child beauty pageants, images of her in makeup and garish costumes created a spectacle around the case (which is still unsolved), and around the Ramseys.
    — Kate Aurthur, Variety, 21 Sep. 2026
  • The competition is separate from the Miss America pageant, which traces its history to a 1921 event in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
    — Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of pageant
Noun
  • Pushing those briars aside revealed a single splinter of stained glass, bright as a ruby and warm as blood.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Because the fees are calculated according to weight, glass is facing disproportionate costs compared to cardboard and plastic.
    — Chas Newkey-Burden, TheWeek, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of glass
Noun
  • The exhibit has since become one of the museum’s most popular attractions.
    — Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2026
  • The Washington Post reported that officials at an unidentified national park had ordered that the photo be taken down, along with other signs and exhibits related to slavery.
    — Martin Goillandeau, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of exhibit
Noun
  • The exhibition is the international component of Second Harvest, an initiative from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Turkey and brewer Anadolu Efes in collaboration with MILKist Social Design Center.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Three years on, the atelier is now celebrating its 40th anniversary with a series of new exhibitions across India’s financial capital.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of exhibition
Noun
  • Those who visit annually or several times during the year are deeply passionate about the live shows, character meet-and-greets, holiday food specials, seasonal festivals and parades and nighttime spectaculars that these parks provide.
    — Sarah Whitten, CNBC, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Sure, the city has fantastic architecture, world-class restaurants, Broadway spectaculars, and those oh-so-gorgeous hotels.
    — Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of spectacular
Noun
  • The results of these efforts were on prominent display in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s death.
    — Benjamin Wofford, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026
  • All three phones feature OLED displays, silicon-carbon batteries between 6,510mAh and 8,000mAh in size, and run on Vivo’s OriginOS 7 software.
    — Dominic Preston, The Verge, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of display
Noun
  • While dining venues are complimentary, elaborate food-and-wine pairing extravaganzas come with a fee.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026
  • At first a single-day affair, the celebration has quickly grown into a weekend-long extravaganza that draws tens of thousands of people — along with some of the show's cast members — to Brighton.
    — Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of extravaganza

Browse Nearby Words

specs
spectacle
spectacles
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spectacle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spectacle. Accessed 26 Sep. 2026.

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