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 That’s the hidden risk in turning the country’s urban crisis into a political spectacle. Ugo Troiano, Oc Register, 15 Oct. 2025 The seasonal spectacle will reach its untimely ending the night before Halloween at a secret location with only 1,000 unfortunate souls allowed entry (if that’s you, sign up at the mailing list at the Wondaween website for your chance to attend). Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 15 Oct. 2025 Not all horror stories rely on jump scares and violent spectacle; some unearth their horrors from unnerving philosophical considerations. Big Think, 14 Oct. 2025 However, the accuracy of preseason rankings is a spectacle of its own. Noah White, Miami Herald, 14 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for spectacle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spectacle
Noun
  • Preliminary competition rounds for the Miss USA pageant will continue throughout the week, leading up to the final night of competition at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nev.
    Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Sydney Shrewsberry repped the Indiana Fever player during the costume portion of the Miss USA 2025 pageant.
    Cheryl V. Jackson, IndyStar, 21 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Jourdan is a relatively calm ghost (staff report objects being moved around the restaurant), but there’s a slightly more active spirit in the Courtyard Bar, where there have been three instances of an unknown source throwing a glass from across the room.
    Sophie Friedman, AFAR Media, 22 Oct. 2025
  • The Winterwonder pass includes a flexible arrival time, expedited entry entrance to the Lilly House Lounge, a premium beverage and a fast pass access for food and drink, festive glasses, blinky lights and ticket insurance.
    Domenica Bongiovanni, IndyStar, 21 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The exhibit is the first royal gallery in France and was built by King Louis XIV, the French monarch who ruled from 1643 to 1715.
    Melina Khan, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Her courtroom preferences, published on the District of South Carolina’s website, demonstrate her focus on documentation and procedure, including requirements for courtesy copies, email submission of pretrial briefs, and indexing of exhibits.
    Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The exhibition also featured Graffiti Truck, a piece made in collaboration with volunteers from different areas in the city.
    Antonio Sergio Bessa, Curbed, 20 Oct. 2025
  • The new Little River location will include three screening rooms, two flexible exhibition rooms, an art gallery, a lounge and a café.
    Edda Leon, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Hosted by drag superstars Dusty Ray Bottoms and May O’Nays, this cabaret-meets-musical-theatre spectacular brings together local legends, touring talent, and rising youth performers for an unforgettable staging of sequins, show tunes, and slaying.
    Kirby Adams, Louisville Courier Journal, 15 Sep. 2025
  • The agreement will also bring an episode of Friday Night SmackDown to the Delta Center on October 31st, creating a two-night WWE spectacular for the fans in Utah.
    Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Judging by his big grin, though, the best topic was saved till last when asked to describe Estevao’s display.
    Simon Johnson, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
  • The first liquid crystal display substrate that makes all of the flat panel displays that you’re used to seeing, the first low loss optical fiber, the ceramic substrates that clean the air of your emissions from your vehicles, the pharmaceutical packaging that made your COVID shot possible.
    Fortune Editors, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The extravaganza was the first in years to enjoy the viewership on both TV and streaming that people come to expect of the event after a fallow period during which NBC was plagued by Asia time-slot challenges and the coronavirus pandemic, among other factors.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 20 Oct. 2025
  • The entire show, a full-scale extravaganza that aired live from Brooklyn last night, set the tone for Super’s strategy to revive the brand.
    Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Spectacle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spectacle. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.

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