flaunt

verb

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\ 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 This way, Camilla could publicly flaunt this symbol of their secret affair without anyone ever knowing its true significance. — Jill Newman, Town & Country, "How Royals from Queen Elizabeth I to Prince Charles Kept Secrets in Their Jewels," 2 Apr. 2021 What better way to flaunt this realization than to write an entire novel about masturbation? — Los Angeles Times, "If ‘Philip Roth: The Biography’ leaves you hating its subject, thank Blake Bailey," 2 Apr. 2021 Auburn’s junior linebacker had reason to flaunt his stuff this week as the Tigers’ began spring practice. — Tom Green | Tgreen@al.com, al, "Auburn players feeling stronger, more confident after new offseason workout program," 19 Mar. 2021 Their family members openly flaunt their wealth on social media. — Washington Post, "As Myanmar death toll climbs, a soldier’s wife is caught between protesters and military," 28 Feb. 2021 Express your individuality with charm pendants that announce your initials, flaunt your zodiac symbol, or look to the stars! — Lynn Yaeger, Vogue, "26 Genuinely Charming Charm Necklaces to Shop Now," 10 Mar. 2021 While the Red Raiders will be able to flaunt an experienced duo at the tackle positions, the depth behind Tony Bradford Jr. and Jaylon Hutchings is questionable. — Dallas News, "Position outlooks: What to expect from Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Baylor, TCU and UNT in 2021," 25 Feb. 2021 Other titles do, however, and some games flaunt locales that make even the wildest real-world destinations seem positively tame in comparison. — Shelly Tan, Washington Post, "Five sensational vacation destinations from the virtual worlds of video games," 25 Feb. 2021 Even with no place to go to flaunt their purchases, wealthy shoppers kept the tills ringing at Hermès during the coronavirus pandemic. — Carol Ryan, WSJ, "Hermès Shows Little Wear From Covid-19 Pandemic," 19 Feb. 2021

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.