sideshow

noun

side·​show ˈsīd-ˌshō 

1

: a minor show offered in addition to a main exhibition (as of a circus)

2

: an incidental diversion or spectacle

Examples of sideshow in a Sentence

Their disagreement is just a political sideshow when compared to the real issues at hand.

Recent Examples on the Web

For the faithful gathered here, of course, the sideshow drama was not the point. —Katie Primm, NBC news, 9 May 2025

Some of the same sideshow performers provided entertainment. —James Barron, New York Times, 2 May 2025

Sloan rightfully believed that the SEC’s heart and soul belonged to football, and basketball was nothing more than an afterthought and a sideshow. —Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel, 20 Mar. 2025

According to court records and previous media reports, Jackson was charged with murder for an October 2009 fatal shooting of a 23-year-old man during a sideshow in the 4300 block of Foothill Boulevard in East Oakland. —Harry Harris, The Mercury News, 14 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1846, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for sideshow

• afterglow
• akimbo
• albino
• aliquot
• allegro
• amigo
• apropos
• audio
• bungalow
• calico
• calypso
• cameo

Kids Definition

sideshow

noun

side·​show -ˌshō 

: a small show off to the side offered in addition to a main show (as of a circus)