spectacular 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of spectacularnext
1
as in extravagant

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Dissimilar Words
2
as in incredible

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Dissimilar Words

spectacular

2 of 2

noun

as in exhibit
an elaborate, visually exciting show or event the larger-than-life spectaculars that make Las Vegas attractive to people with little interest in gambling

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 spectacular
Adjective
Tim Lincecum threw the second no-hitter in 11 days, a gem saved by a spectacular diving catch by right fielder Hunter Pence in the San Francisco Giants’ 9-0 win against the last-place San Diego Padres. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 13 July 2026 Andreas Schjelderup opened the scoring with a spectacular cross-shot that deceived Jordan Pickford and, although Jude Bellingham struck back for England in first-half stoppage time, Norway looked the more likely winners as the second period wore on. — Oliver Kay, New York Times, 12 July 2026
Noun
Pyrotechnic spectaculars thrill us with movement, surprise, poignant impermanence — and those qualities distinguish dance, as well. — Celia Wren, Washington Post, 4 June 2026 SeaWorld San Diego will host a nighttime spectacular with 600 aerial drones this summer that will light up the sky over Mission Bay with towering images of breaching whales, pulsating jellyfish and flipping dolphins. — Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 1 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for spectacular
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spectacular
  1. extravagant
  2. incredible
  3. exhibit
  4. flamboyant
  5. extraordinary
  6. pageant
  7. showy
  8. phenomenal
Adjective
  • The newlyweds, both 36, tied the knot in an extravagant ceremony at the iconic venue July 3, which took over the streets of Manhattan and required the New York Police to shut down the immediate vicinity.
    — Liza Esquibias, USA Today, 10 July 2026
  • New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has revealed how much Taylor Swift paid the city for her and Travis Kelce‘s extravagant Madison Square Garden wedding.
    — Juliana Ukiomogbe, InStyle, 10 July 2026
Definition of extravagant
Adjective
  • Given Nolan’s famous aversion to AI, there was a relief in knowing this incredible display of creativity came primarily from practical effects and shooting on location.
    — Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026
  • The Nordstrom Beauty annual sale has returned in grand style, and there are incredible deals to be had.
    — Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 18 July 2026
Definition of incredible
Noun
  • Burpee said the expansion of the State Fair’s cannabis exhibit and lounge seems to reflect changing opinions around marijuana usage in California.
    — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 19 July 2026
  • Survivors will be recognized, and a commemorative slideshow of archival photographs and a traveling exhibit curated by the Wyandotte County Historical Museum will help younger generations learn about the disaster and the community’s enduring legacy.
    — Michelle Oliva-Espinosa, Kansas City Star, 18 July 2026
Definition of exhibit
Adjective
  • Posters for Goodyear Tires and the 1939 Foire de Paris retail expo flank the flamboyant shoe.
    — Douglas Markowitz, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026
  • At the level of style, there was nothing obviously flamboyant about Allen’s music, nor her presence on stage, the quiet, acerbic composure of her delivery.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 July 2026
Definition of flamboyant
Adjective
  • Given the extraordinary breadth of work recognized each year and the limited time available within a three-hour broadcast, a select number of categories will be moving to the Emmy ceremonies taking place the week prior to the telecast.
    — Peter White, Deadline, 17 July 2026
  • The star is, of course, the fynbos, that extraordinary shrubland ecosystem that transforms the landscape with seasonal color, intricate textures and astonishing biodiversity.
    — Sarah Kingdom, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of extraordinary
Noun
  • After 57 years, the annual pageant moved from Hot Springs to Little Rock after the resort city was unable to accommodate the event.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 14 July 2026
  • When the first place beauty queen commits suicide, her best friend, in order to win the pageant, starts to wear the dead friend’s face.
    — John Hopewell, Variety, 14 July 2026
Definition of pageant
Adjective
  • As Vasily Borodin, executive officer of the Red October, Neill brings gravitas and gentle truth to a submarine thriller that otherwise can feel a little showy.
    — Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 14 July 2026
  • Sheppard emphasized that the home was designed to feel livable and warm rather than overbuilt or showy, leaning into a traditional farmhouse style.
    — David Caraccio Updated July 8, Sacbee.com, 8 July 2026
Definition of showy
Adjective
  • This Claudia is the opposite of Hayles’s quiet, cunning performance as Regina and conveys a phenomenal range.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 14 July 2026
  • Both teams have enjoyed phenomenal campaigns so far, but only one can move forward to Sunday's final in New Jersey.
    — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 14 July 2026
Definition of phenomenal

Browse Nearby Words

spectacles
spectacular
spectacularly
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Cite this Entry

“Spectacular.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spectacular. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on spectacular

Nglish: Translation of spectacular for Spanish Speakers

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