1
as in pageant
an elaborate, visually exciting show or event the multimedia spectacles that have become established parts of the opening and closing ceremonies for the Olympic Games

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in glass
spectacles plural a pair of lenses set in a frame that is held in place with ear supports and which are usually worn to correct vision bought a pair of spectacles with nonprescription lenses simply to look more intelligent

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 spectacle After his arrest at an Altoona McDonald’s, Mangione was whisked from Pennsylvania to downtown New York on a jet and a helicopter in a remarkable spectacle in front of media cameras. Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2025 Noem’s spectacle, in Kelly and Rufo’s formulation, is too much of a spectacle, too ham-handed, so false as to give itself away. Constance Grady, Vox, 25 Apr. 2025 Elite football is very demanding, but anything that makes people enjoy it more and is more of a spectacle. Guillermo Rai, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025 Without the spectacle of a subscriber gain this time around, the company’s shares ticked up in after-hours trading but by a comparatively modest 4%. Dade Hayes, Deadline, 17 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for spectacle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spectacle
Noun
  • One of Hudson's competitors will be trans model Isabelle St. Cyr. St. Cyr will be the first openly trans contestant in the pageant's history after previously winning the local Miss Monson USA pageant in the Maine town of Monson.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 16 Apr. 2025
  • The film will delve into the human side of incarceration, following women with complex pasts who discover resilience, hope and camaraderie through an unlikely source, a prison beauty pageant.
    Jamie Lang, Variety, 2 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Meta is also expanding access to Meta AI in other countries in the European Union, as well as launching the glasses themselves in Mexico, India, and the United Arab Emirates.
    Julian Chokkattu, Wired News, 26 Apr. 2025
  • His teammates met him along the glass, mobbing him in celebration.
    Peter Baugh, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The addition to the west will not only include exhibit space, but a new restaurant and theater space whose views open to the south lawn.
    Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Asawa’s own words posted throughout the exhibit reflect the simplicity of her genius.
    Robert Taylor, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The exhibitions for Sotheby’s Modern and Contemporary sales open May 2 and run through May 15 at the house’s York Avenue galleries.
    Daniel Cassady for ARTnews, Robb Report, 26 Apr. 2025
  • The exhibition, which opens tonight, is on view through June 21.
    Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Most designers would find such a project daunting: To create 500 costumes for a theatrical spectacular that is part-cabaret, part-circus, with a budget of $14 million, more than 100 performers and lashings of Swarovski crystals.
    Cathrin Schaer, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
  • Review: Joyful 'Coco' breaks from the Pixar pack as a Mexican musical spectacular Who's making 'Coco 2'?
    Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • This follows years where the display wasn’t allowed by the National Park Service under then-President Joe Biden.
    Jenny Goldsberry, The Washington Examiner, 27 Apr. 2025
  • From there — after ambling into the box — his abilities were on full display.
    Sam Lee, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The rave attracts people from near and far for the massive boating and drinking extravaganza.
    Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2025
  • The country music festival kicks off April 25 with some of the biggest names in country music hitting the stage for a three-day extravaganza at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California.
    Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spectacle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spectacle. Accessed 8 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on spectacle

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!