conspicuous consumption

Definition of conspicuous consumptionnext

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 conspicuous consumption That means no more conspicuous consumption or the breaking of high-end hotels’ mounted stag heads. Keith Phipps, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025 Japan was in a deep recession, but Uniqlo kept growing, offering bargains for the struggling masses and discretion for better-off consumers in an era that frowned upon conspicuous consumption. Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025 These were mostly built by wealthy American families between 1870 and 1915, as conspicuous consumption became a symbolic tool of the elite. Evan Nicole Brown, Architectural Digest, 25 July 2025 Successful wealth-builders feel genuine satisfaction in financial discipline and growth, taking pride in resource management rather than conspicuous consumption. Robert Daugherty, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for conspicuous consumption
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conspicuous consumption
Noun
  • At twenty-five cents a pack, they were considered a medium-status brand, still a splurge for most people in China.
    Cassandra Neyenesch, New Yorker, 29 Mar. 2026
  • The splurge was worth it, because this was no ordinary address.
    Kathryn O’Shea-Evans, Robb Report, 29 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • McGinn wants passes crisp fired into him and, with Villa’s best passer, Youri Tielemans, coming back to full fitness, the previous wastefulness in the final third may be remedied for good.
    Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Gabriel also acknowledged lawmakers’ responsibility to oversee state spending seriously as well, and would be scrutinizing government programs for wastefulness.
    Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 13 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Despite the buildings’ lavishness, the plastics meeting is in a downstairs space that’s less Dubai bling than basic corporate nice.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Feb. 2026
  • Then again, a sense of glamour and lavishness—two pillars of Old Hollywood, when the big film studios had big money to burn—still goes hand-in-hand with awards season dressing today, too.
    Christian Allaire, Vogue, 9 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Beneath the surface, however, Bohm has faced obstacles and oddities, including a frightening elbow infection and a viral social media post touting his generosity that was untrue.
    Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
  • The event seeks to renew commitment to compassion, generosity and hope, and attendees will walk from Trinity Lutheran Church to the courthouse for a brief program followed by a reception and fellowship at Trinity.
    Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • David’s Bridal is known for its relative affordability in an industry rife with extravagance.
    Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 13 Mar. 2026
  • Other details on the interiors are scarce (for now), but Lazzara says the focus onboard is not about extravagance, but design continuity throughout each and every space on the new vessel—and having enough space to truly wind, too.
    Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 4 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The profusion of locations for the third event means the marches may have commanded less national news coverage than iconic protests that centered on Washington, DC, including the civil rights March on Washington in 1963 and the antiwar Vietnam Moratorium protest in 1969.
    Susan Page, USA Today, 29 Mar. 2026
  • But although these years saw a crisis of the old order and a profusion of utopian or apocalyptic egalitarian thinking, it was still organized around theological rather than economic ideas.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Conspicuous consumption.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conspicuous%20consumption. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.

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