flaunt

verb

\ ˈflȯnt

, ˈflänt\

flaunted; flaunting; flaunts

Definition of flaunt

intransitive verb

1 : to display or obtrude oneself to public notice a great flaunting crowd— Charles Dickens

2 : to wave or flutter showily the flag flaunts in the breeze

transitive verb

1 : to display ostentatiously or impudently : parade flaunting his superiority a chance to flaunt clothes, bodies, and sexuality — New Yorker

2 : to treat contemptuously flaunted the rules— Louis Untermeyer

Other Words from flaunt Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym Flaunt vs. Flout: Usage Guide More Example Sentences Learn More about flaunt

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Other Words from flaunt

flaunt noun

flauntingly \ ˈflȯn-tiŋ-lē

, ˈflän- \ adverb

flaunty \ ˈflȯn--tē

, ˈflän- \ adjective

Choose the Right Synonym for flaunt

show, exhibit, display, expose, parade, flaunt mean to present so as to invite notice or attention. show implies no more than enabling another to see or examine. showed her snapshots to the whole group exhibit stresses putting forward prominently or openly. exhibit paintings at a gallery display emphasizes putting in a position where others may see to advantage. display sale items expose suggests bringing forth from concealment and displaying. sought to expose the hypocrisy of the town fathers parade implies an ostentatious or arrogant displaying. parading their piety for all to see flaunt suggests a shameless, boastful, often offensive parading. nouveaux riches flaunting their wealth

Flaunt vs. Flout: Usage Guide

Although the "treat contemptuously" sense of flaunt undoubtedly arose from confusion with flout, the contexts in which it appears cannot be called substandard. meting out punishment to the occasional mavericks who operate rigged games, tolerate rowdyism, or otherwise flaunt the law — Oscar Lewis observed with horror the flaunting of their authority in the suburbs, where men … put up buildings that had no place at all in a Christian commonwealth — Marchette Chute in our profession … very rarely do we publicly chastise a colleague who has flaunted our most basic principles — R. T. Blackburn, AAUP Bull. If you use it, however, you should be aware that many people will consider it a mistake. Use of flout in the sense of "flaunt, parade" is found occasionally. "The proper pronunciation," the blonde said, flouting her refined upbringing, "is pree feeks" — Mike Royko

Examples of flaunt in a Sentence

She liked to flaunt her wealth by wearing furs and jewelry. They openly flaunted the rules.

Recent Examples on the Web

Hey, we Southern ladies would rather sip a frugal wine than flaunt a frugal finger. — Perri Ormont Blumberg, Southern Living, "Sam's Club Just Launched the Most Amazing Line of Engagement Rings," 5 June 2019 The American designer, who flaunted the occasion on his social media, was just one of Goodman’s famous friends in attendance. — Ian Malone, Vogue, "A Vogue-heavy Crowd Came Out to Tonne Goodman’s Point of View Book Party at Bookmarc," 17 Apr. 2019 Another main-floor highlight is the chef’s kitchen, which flaunts a large center island, breakfast bar and pantry. — Toll Brothers, The Seattle Times, "6 homes remain at community near Microsoft," 29 Mar. 2019 The 28-year-old actress flaunted her curls while promoting her new film Dreamland this week at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City. — Kaleigh Fasanella, Allure, "Margot Robbie Just Debuted Curly Hair for the First Time," 30 Apr. 2019 Though that hasn’t dampened her curiosity in the least; she’s been known to flaunt emerging designers from far-flung corners of the globe on the street. — Christian Allaire, Vogue, "Tracing Bella Hadid’s Street Style Evolution From SoCal Good Girl to Fearless Fashion Risk-Taker," 25 Mar. 2019 This was a day of misery for Chelsea — the west London club’s heaviest loss in 28 years — but one for both City and Dean to flaunt their flamboyance. — Rob Harris, The Seattle Times, "Aguero, City humiliate Chelsea — and referee joins in japes," 10 Feb. 2019 For nearly her entire reign, the British monarch has continued to flaunt a few handbags, all from the same U.K. designer. — Chloe Foussianes, Town & Country, "Queen Elizabeth Has Carried the Same Three Launer Bags for Years, Because Like Her They Improve with Age," 9 Jan. 2019 The floor-length number featured long, breezy sleeves, and Christie did not hold back from flaunting them in her poses. — Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Gwendoline Christie Looked Like a Goddess at the Game of Thrones Season 8 Premiere," 4 Apr. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'flaunt.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.