as in pomp
excessive or unnecessary display
the sheer ostentation of the rock star's mansion was overwhelming
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Recent Examples of ostentation
The lack of ostentation is in line with my impression of the surgeon himself.
—
Mary Roach, Wired News, 10 Nov. 2025
What existed in the White House was a relative lack of ostentation — formal, but showing occasional signs of wear and tear, proof that this was a People’s House, not a palace.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2025
Formula 1 has Monaco, with its ostentation and air of exclusivity.
—Jonathan Hawkins, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025
Never through excess or ostentation, but through quiet discipline — a meditative expression of grace.
—Andrea Onate, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ostentation
Mary Roach, Wired News, 10 Nov. 2025
What existed in the White House was a relative lack of ostentation — formal, but showing occasional signs of wear and tear, proof that this was a People’s House, not a palace.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2025
Formula 1 has Monaco, with its ostentation and air of exclusivity.
—Jonathan Hawkins, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025
Never through excess or ostentation, but through quiet discipline — a meditative expression of grace.
—Andrea Onate, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ostentation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ostentation
Noun
-
Leo's events in Monaco were marked by all the usual protocol and pomp of a papal tour abroad.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Francis’ choice was in keeping with his simple taste and disdain for the pomp of the papacy.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The receptionist works behind a period cabinet converted into the sort of desk Philip Marlowe would happily put his feet on and Art Deco ornamentations abound, from the beautiful clocks, to the slightly sinister candlesticks.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Pale, dusty hues enhance natural light, offering a subtle counterpoint to the rich ornamentation, while ceiling paintings by Vicke Andrén, celebrated for his work at the Royal Swedish Opera, underscore the apartment’s artistic importance.—
Mark David,
Robb Report,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The whole thing was a striking visual spectacle, too — waves of musicians rising from both sides, backup singers swaying and clapping, spotlights sweeping across the floor as a roaming camera zipped through the crowd like a drone that had just discovered country music.—
Theoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Indeed, Coachella’s other two headliners, Bad Bunny and Blackpink, put on elaborate main-stage spectacles over the weekend that by most accounts left fans feeling both stimulated and satisfied.—
Vanessa Franko,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Not so much for your music as your…not flamboyance, but exuberance, maybe, or whimsy—qualities in vanishingly short supply with our current crop of male pop stars who don’t make backflips a fixture of their live performances.—
Walden Green,
Pitchfork,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Thousands of artists, collectors, curators and gallerists descend on the city, swelling an already vibrant local scene with a global reach into a week of discovery, creative adventure and fashion flamboyance.—
Arts Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Seasonal and holiday decorations are especially popular thrift store finds, particularly during the fall and winter months, says Pinto.—
Olivia McIntosh,
Martha Stewart,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Classy baby shower decor Floral decorations are fun and attractive.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The country icon might be all glitz and glam, but her contribution to the health center goes far beyond an applauding namesake.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Spanning up to 1,560 square feet, the six Signature Suites are decked out with 19th-century frescoes, gilded salons, marble fireplaces, and tall windows, evoking the glitz and glamor of a bygone era.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
But then, what is art if not an attempt to tidy up the real world’s teeming luxuriance?—
Sebastian Smee,
Washington Post,
5 Dec. 2023
-
The comic luxuriance of Roman references should not blind us to the significance of these constant appeals to the Roman Republic and to classical virtue.—
Adam Gopnik,
The New Yorker,
24 Oct. 2022
Noun
-
The Dominick is all floor-to-ceiling windows, soaking tubs, rooftop pools, and moody light fixtures — in other words, its 46 stories are peppered with elements that exude upscale, sophisticated energy while avoiding all signs of gaudiness.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
2 Mar. 2026
-
So that drove a kind of character choice as well about the gaudiness of the society.—
Kelsie Gibson,
PEOPLE,
1 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ostentation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ostentation. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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