showstopper

show·stop·per | \ ˈshō-ˌstä-pər

How to pronounce showstopper (audio)

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Definition of showstopper

1 : an act, song, or performer that wins applause so prolonged as to interrupt a performance

2 : something or someone exceptionally arresting or attractive the gold crown was the showstopper of the exhibition

3 : one that stops or could stop the progress, operation, or functioning of something

Other Words from showstopper Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about showstopper

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Examples of showstopper in a Sentence

at the modeling agency everyone was a showstopper

Recent Examples on the Web The showstopper, of course, was the Baden fringe diamond tiara atop her head, per Town & Country. — Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Sweden's Royals Wore All the Tiaras at the Nobel Prize Ceremony," 10 Dec. 2019 These are usually mini movies, similar to Super Bowl showstoppers in the United States, that feature warm and fuzzy characters like lovestruck penguins and mythical creatures who reveal the true meaning of Christmas. — Washington Post, "2-year old Arthur becomes star in UK Christmas ad tradition," 6 Dec. 2019 Ordinary pumpkin pie turns into a showstopper with a decadent dollop of meringue on top. — Woman's Day Kitchen, Woman's Day, "Pumpkin Meringue Pie," 21 Oct. 2019 The goal is for each song to be a showstopper, but given that no story ever sets things in motion in the first place, what Cats desperately needs is a showstarter. — Kyle Smith, National Review, "Cats Is a Dog," 19 Dec. 2019 The title track essentially serves as a forum for Stanier to go bonkers on the drums, and his riotous performance appears destined to be a showstopper on stage. — Greg Kot, chicagotribune.com, "Battles album review: A mix-and-match world where Yes, Tune-Yards and Shabazz Palaces find common ground," 19 Oct. 2019 Halsey Halsey continues to experiment with her red carpet looks and her latest one was quite the showstopper. — Bianca Gracie, Billboard, "Here Are the 10 Best Red Carpet Looks From the 2019 AMAs," 24 Nov. 2019 But the showstopper was watching the expressions on the troopers’ faces when Phil took out his vintage violin and opened with Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto. — Bill Corsair, National Review, "The Stars Came Out for the 1st Cavalry in Vietnam," 11 Nov. 2019 But the showstopper promises to be something from the nearly dozen poutine offerings. — Georgann Yara, azcentral, "This Canadian restaurant will bring breakfast poutine to Scottsdale. Here's what to expect," 18 Oct. 2019

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

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Dictionary Entries near showstopper

show (someone) round

show (someone) who's boss

show/teach (someone) a trick or two

Statistics for showstopper

Last Updated

8 Jan 2020

Cite this Entry

“Showstopper.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/showstopper. Accessed 19 January 2020.

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