Synonyms of show

show 1 of 2

verb

ˈshō 

1

as in to display

to present so as to invite notice or attention

fishing for compliments, the neighbors showed their new SUV to everyone on the block

Synonyms & Similar Words

• display
• exhibit
• unveil
• flash
• announce
• expose
• produce
• parade
• wave
• flaunt
• show off
• reveal
• strut
• sport
• advertise
• proclaim
• lay out
• discover
• tell (of)
• broadcast
• post
• air
• publicize
• flourish
• divulge
• herald
• uncover
• talk (about)
• disport
• brandish
• bare
• sound
• unmask
• blaze
• placard
• trumpet
• uncloak

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disguise
• mask
• camouflage
• hide
• cover
• conceal
• curtain
• obscure
• veil
• occlude
• occult
• shroud
• enshroud

2

as in to reveal

to make known (something abstract) through outward signs

the actor's expressive face shows his every thought and emotion clearly

Synonyms & Similar Words

• reveal
• display
• demonstrate
• betray
• expose
• manifest
• communicate
• evince
• declare
• sound
• disclose
• give away
• announce
• uncover
• proclaim
• bespeak
• bare
• advertise
• broadcast
• air
• publicize
• project
• unbosom
• uncloak
• blaze
• placard
• trumpet

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• misrepresent
• belie
• distort
• falsify
• twist
• disguise
• hide
• camouflage
• cover
• conceal
• obscure
• gloss (over)
• mask
• veil
• whitewash
• garble
• gild
• varnish
• occlude
• counterfeit

3

as in to prove

to gain full recognition or acceptance of

that shows we're right

Synonyms & Similar Words

• prove
• demonstrate
• establish
• confirm
• substantiate
• document
• justify
• verify
• sustain
• uphold
• evidence
• support
• validate
• bear out
• attest
• authenticate
• corroborate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disprove
• invalidate
• refute
• discredit
• rebut
• confute

4

as in to guide

to give advice and instruction to (someone) regarding the course or process to be followed

showed me how to play the guitar

Synonyms & Similar Words

• guide
• accompany
• teach
• lead
• coach
• inform
• steer
• mentor
• pilot
• counsel
• walk through
• train
• escort
• tutor
• shepherd
• see
• supervise
• engineer
• attend
• sway
• direct
• enlighten
• drill
• instruct
• school
• brief
• oversee
• chaperone
• convoy
• superintend
• inculcate
• foster
• godfather
• squire
• cultivate
• nurture
• indoctrinate

5

as in to steer

to point out the way for (someone) especially from a position in front

showed them the way to get home

Synonyms & Similar Words

• guide
• steer
• accompany
• lead
• route
• conduct
• pilot
• direct
• usher
• escort
• precede
• see
• marshal
• attend
• manage
• control
• chaperone
• convoy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• follow
• trail
• tail
• dog
• shadow
• hound
• tailgate

6

as in to appear

to come into view

another car showed just as we were thinking we'd have the whole place to ourselves

Synonyms & Similar Words

• appear
• unfold
• come
• arrive
• show up
• rise
• come out
• reappear
• loom
• turn up
• materialize
• happen
• emerge
• surface
• occur
• erupt
• bulk
• arise
• issue
• break out
• resurface
• shoot (up)
• break
• blossom
• dawn
• debut
• crop (up)
• bob (up)
• spring (up)
• outcrop
• rematerialize

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disappear
• vanish
• clear
• fade
• dissolve
• evaporate
• go (away)
• leave
• melt (away)
• withdraw
• retire
• depart
• evanesce

show

2 of 2

noun

1

as in display

an outward and often exaggerated indication of something abstract (as a feeling) for effect

the children made a show of disgust when confronted with asparagus

Synonyms & Similar Words

• display
• demonstration
• exhibition
• pose
• flaunting
• simulation
• act
• front
• charade
• facade
• semblance
• disclosure
• pretense
• affectation
• betrayal
• guise
• put-on
• sham

2

as in act

a display of emotion or behavior that is insincere or intended to deceive

her "concern" for the less fortunate is all just a big show

Synonyms & Similar Words

• act
• pose
• facade
• pretense
• guise
• airs
• front
• disguise
• charade
• masquerade
• appearance
• performance
• semblance
• cloak
• pretext
• portrayal
• image
• playacting
• put-on
• excuse
• persona
• impersonation
• betrayal
• deception
• camouflage
• affectation
• gloss
• duplicity
• color
• treachery
• fraud
• deceit
• treason
• dissimulation
• falseness
• double cross
• fakery
• guile
• perfidy
• infidelity
• dissembling
• double-dealing
• faithlessness
• falsity
• unfaithfulness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• sincerity
• frankness
• candor
• directness
• bluntness
• straightforwardness
• outspokenness
• forthrightness
• candidness
• plainspokenness
• genuineness
• naïveté
• artlessness
• openheartedness

3

as in appearance

outward and often deceptive indication

a false show of strength that fooled the enemy

Synonyms & Similar Words

• appearance
• face
• effect
• impression
• seeming
• name
• semblance
• outward
• display
• first blush
• guise
• demonstration
• implication
• air
• suggestion
• resemblance
• hint
• representation
• likeness
• pretense
• image
• pose
• simulation
• surface
• mask
• imitation
• fiction
• cloak
• front
• shape
• facade
• affectation
• masquerade
• disguise
• insinuation
• exterior
• shell
• patina
• veneer
• gloss
• make-believe
• imposture
• Potemkin village

4

as in exhibit

a public showing of objects of interest

a boat show at the convention center

Synonyms & Similar Words

• exhibit
• display
• exhibition
• fair
• production
• presentation
• demonstration
• expo
• exposition
• performance
• auction
• sale
• offering
• spectacle
• extravaganza
• pageant
• presentment

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of show are display, exhibit, expose, flaunt, and parade. While all these words 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

When is it sensible to use display instead of show?

The synonyms display and show are sometimes interchangeable, but display emphasizes putting in a position where others may see to advantage.

display sale items

When would exhibit be a good substitute for show?

The meanings of exhibit and show largely overlap; however, exhibit stresses putting forward prominently or openly.

exhibit paintings at a gallery

When might expose be a better fit than show?

The words expose and show can be used in similar contexts, but expose suggests bringing forth from concealment and displaying.

sought to expose the hypocrisy of the town fathers

When can flaunt be used instead of show?

While the synonyms flaunt and show are close in meaning, flaunt suggests a shameless, boastful, often offensive parading.

nouveaux riches flaunting their wealth

Where would parade be a reasonable alternative to show?

Although the words parade and show have much in common, parade implies an ostentatious or arrogant displaying.

parading their piety for all to see

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of show

Verb

Video on social media showed distressed shopkeepers begging young men to stop stealing their inventory—and those young men pushing them aside to grab shoes and food from their shelves. — Jim Edwards, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026

The analysis showed that quantum mechanics does indeed put a speed limit on how quickly different quantum systems can reach a thermal equilibrium. — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2026

Noun

With the election approaching, Netanyahu is under pressure to demonstrate a strong show of force against Palestinian attackers to bolster his image for Israelis concerned with security. — Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026

Robertson traces Perry’s life as a child of divorce to a hopeful comedic actor to star of one of the biggest TV shows of all time. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 25 Oct. 2026

Phrases Containing show

• make a show
• show (someone) the door
• show off
• show up