display 1 of 2

Definition of displaynext
1
as in exhibit
a public showing of objects of interest a display of paintings by masters of French Impressionism

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in demonstration
an outward and often exaggerated indication of something abstract (as a feeling) for effect a display of sympathy that was totally phony

Synonyms & Similar Words

display

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word display different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of display are exhibit, expose, flaunt, parade, and show. While all these words mean "to present so as to invite notice or attention," display emphasizes putting in a position where others may see to advantage.

display sale items

When is exhibit a more appropriate choice than display?

While the synonyms exhibit and display are close in meaning, exhibit stresses putting forward prominently or openly.

exhibit paintings at a gallery

Where would expose be a reasonable alternative to display?

The synonyms expose and display are sometimes interchangeable, but expose suggests bringing forth from concealment and displaying.

sought to expose the hypocrisy of the town fathers

When is it sensible to use flaunt instead of display?

Although the words flaunt and display have much in common, flaunt suggests a shameless, boastful, often offensive parading.

nouveaux riches flaunting their wealth

When could parade be used to replace display?

The meanings of parade and display largely overlap; however, parade implies an ostentatious or arrogant displaying.

parading their piety for all to see

When would show be a good substitute for display?

In some situations, the words show and display are roughly equivalent. However, show implies no more than enabling another to see or examine.

showed her snapshots to the whole group

How is the word display different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of display are exhibit, expose, flaunt, parade, and show. While all these words mean "to present so as to invite notice or attention," display emphasizes putting in a position where others may see to advantage.

display sale items

When is exhibit a more appropriate choice than display?

While the synonyms exhibit and display are close in meaning, exhibit stresses putting forward prominently or openly.

exhibit paintings at a gallery

Where would expose be a reasonable alternative to display?

The synonyms expose and display are sometimes interchangeable, but expose suggests bringing forth from concealment and displaying.

sought to expose the hypocrisy of the town fathers

When is it sensible to use flaunt instead of display?

Although the words flaunt and display have much in common, flaunt suggests a shameless, boastful, often offensive parading.

nouveaux riches flaunting their wealth

When could parade be used to replace display?

The meanings of parade and display largely overlap; however, parade implies an ostentatious or arrogant displaying.

parading their piety for all to see

When would show be a good substitute for display?

In some situations, the words show and display are roughly equivalent. However, show implies no more than enabling another to see or examine.

showed her snapshots to the whole group

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of display
Noun
Beneath the display attached to the crossbar is a small storage area with room for two bottles and a flat section in between that can hold a phone. Craig Rawlins-Wilson, PC Magazine, 25 Mar. 2026 The display far surpassed the previous benchmark of 500 sandwiches. ABC News, 24 Mar. 2026
Verb
Ahead of him is a large group of students entering the pitch, which is displaying flags for Gryffindor and Hufflepuff. Selome Hailu, Variety, 24 Mar. 2026 Louisiana and Texas have also enacted laws requiring the Ten Commandments be displayed in classrooms. Sara Cline, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for display
Recent Examples of Synonyms for display
Noun
  • Installations and special exhibits like a holiday light show further the wow factor.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Mar. 2026
  • Upcoming collaboration with the Nelson Atkins Otero is also working on a collaboration with the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art for its new art exhibit featuring Czech artist Alphonse Mucha and the spirit of art nouveau.
    Noelle Alviz-Gransee Updated March 23, Kansas City Star, 23 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Over the last several years, protesters have walked onto the 101 Freeway during demonstrations, including the George Floyd marches in 2020, pro-Palestinian rallies in 2024 and most recently, anti-ICE protests throughout 2025.
    Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
  • More recently, armed counter-protesters were a visible presence at drag performances and Black Lives Matter demonstrations; soon, armed left-wing counter-counter-protesters started showing up, too.
    Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 26 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Close to three dozen firms have registered to lobby the federal government on issues related to energy and defense since Israel and the United States launched strikes against Iran in late February, disclosures show.
    Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 26 Mar. 2026
  • The Panthers are comfortable with Hubbard toting the ball, and Etienne — a fourth-round pick last year — has shown some flashes.
    Mike Kaye March 26, Charlotte Observer, 26 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Thirty-one years after winning Best Actor for Forrest Gump, Tom Hanks and the film’s cast are still revealing behind-the-scenes secrets — from a studio standoff over money to a prosthetic lip that nearly destroyed an actor’s career.
    Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2026
  • Unlike Diana, Kate’s ‘Balmoral Test’ and subsequent visits might reveal her more durable alignment with the family’s dynamics, both in private and public.
    Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 28 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The exhibition is free and will remain open through the end of the year, serving as a reminder that traces of the nation's founding history remain embedded throughout Brooklyn.
    Hannah Kliger, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
  • The exhibition pairs their work together, showing the value of shocking style in a moment of conservatism.
    Rachel Tashjian, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • These questions linger as Ion goes about his day, looking for work, begging for change, and scarfing down a meal—moments that flash by in quick, propulsive blips.
    Justin Chang, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Ware has flashed his intriguing potential during stretches this season, grabbing double-digit rebounds in nine straight games in November and also turning in one of his best performances of the season in Wednesday’s win over the Cavaliers.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The idea behind this is to invoke the double-slit experiment, which demonstrates how light behaves as both a particle and a wave, depending on how it is observed.
    David Szondy March 28, New Atlas, 28 Mar. 2026
  • Harvard Business School professor Amy Edmondson has demonstrated — across decades of team research — that psychological safety is the single strongest predictor of team performance.
    Charles Edward Gehrke, Fortune, 28 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • In the past week alone, for instance, tech company Meta reportedly planned sweeping layoffs ​while unveiling, just the day before, a stock program for executives that would increase their compensation by millions of dollars.
    Frank Witsil, Freep.com, 28 Mar. 2026
  • The Boring Company unveiled its first underground loop project, the Las Vegas Loop, in 2021.
    Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 28 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Display.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/display. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.

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