parade

verb

paraded; parading

transitive verb

1

: to cause to maneuver or march : marshal

2

: promenade

3

: to exhibit ostentatiously

intransitive verb

1

: to march in or as if in a procession

2

: promenade

3

a

: show off

b

: masquerade

… myths which parade as modern science …

—M. R. Cohen

parader noun

Synonyms of parade

• march
• stride

Choose the Right Synonym for parade

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

Examples of parade in a Sentence

The team and its fans paraded down the street.

Protesters paraded in front of City Hall.

The models paraded up and down the runway.

She paraded around on the beach in her bikini.

The victors paraded the prisoners through the streets.

Recent Examples on the Web

Now Lestat has joined them, parading his vampirism to anyone who buys a ticket and drawing more and more ire from his law-abiding peers. —Ben Travers, IndieWire, 7 June 2026

The most recognizable are Semana Santa, or Holy Week, processions during the final week of Lent where brotherhoods and robed penitents parade ornate statues of Christ and the Virgin Mary through cities, towns and villages alongside marching bands. —Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2026

The most recognizable are Holy Week processions during the final week of Lent where brotherhoods and robed penitents parade ornate statues of Christ and the Virgin Mary through cities, towns and villages alongside marching bands. —Nicole Winfield, Chicago Tribune, 7 June 2026

Why not parade around in your underwear? —Alex Apatoff, PEOPLE, 6 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

derivative of parade entry 1

First Known Use

1686, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing parade

• hit parade
• identification parade
• identity parade
• on parade
• parade ground(s)
• parade of shops
• rain on someone's parade
• ticker-tape parade

Rhymes for parade

• afraid
• allayed
• arcade
• arrayed
• assayed
• barmaid
• betrayed
• blockade
• bridesmaid
• brigade
• brocade
• buffeted

Kids Definition

parade

1 of 2 noun

pa·​rade pə-ˈrād 

1

: great show or display

2

: a formation of a body of troops before a superior officer

3

: a public procession

4

: a crowd of strolling people

the Easter parade

parade

2 of 2 verb

paraded; parading

1

a

: to cause to march

b

: to march in a parade

2

: promenade entry 2

3

: show off sense 1

parade one's knowledge

parader noun