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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

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

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
For some Democrats, the party’s six-year-old habit of acknowledging Native Americans’ role in the founding of the US is a welcome display of its commitment to diversity. David Weigel, semafor.com, 21 July 2026 The hearings often result in displays of key evidence, including crime scene photos and items recovered after the execution of search warrants. Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026
Verb
Nasa absorbed his ovation, then took his bench in the middle of the orchestra with a little monitor displaying the movie on his piano. Tim Greiving, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026 But Heaps was advised by Fambrini not to take down the wall of shelves in the Walnut Creek shop that displays a decorative array of Kettle Brand potato chips — a big draw for customers. Martha Ross, Mercury News, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for display
Recent Examples of Synonyms for display
Noun
  • The exhibit's visitors can get a chilling feel for the time, with full scale recreations of the annex rooms where Anne and her family hid from the Nazis.
    Marie Saavedra, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Visitors will move through cave-like interiors centered on an interactive exhibit named Elysium.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 1 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • But as demonstrations attracted larger crowds, the government was forced to acknowledge them and respond to their growing influence.
    ABC News, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026
  • The result is that nighttime driving increasingly feels less like navigating through darkness and more like surviving a rolling photonics demonstration from the consumer electronics industry.
    Matthew MacConnell, ArsTechnica, 3 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Justice John Dixon said Bauer Media had failed to show the claims made about Wilson were substantially true or trivial.
    Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
  • Techradar’s recent survey on consumer attitudes to AI shows a drop in the use of AI services such as Gemini and ChatGPT.
    Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Verb
  • Bone must be separated from surrounding rock millimeter by millimeter with a pneumatic chisel, whose needle gently breaks away rock while ultraviolet light reveals where the bone ends and the surrounding rock begins.
    ABC News, ABC News, 22 July 2026
  • Smart did reveal some interesting nuggets about his team this fall in his various interviews during SEC media days.
    Connor Riley, AJC.com, 22 July 2026
Noun
  • The other highlight was an immersive fashion exhibition spread over two floors.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 30 July 2026
  • Current Levine Museum programs The museum plans to open a temporary exhibition that will be announced in the fall, Cooper said.
    Claire Harutunian, Charlotte Observer, 30 July 2026
Verb
  • Blue morphos flashed their bright wings before disappearing among the plants, while guests gathered around the emergence chamber to look for new butterflies and moths drying their wings.
    Sophia Buonpane, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Wall Street prized Park Avenue co-ops, then the first wave of Silicon Valley fortunes flashed in glass boxes behind the hedges of Atherton and Los Altos Hills.
    Natalie Hoberman, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Verb
  • Only about half of employees in his research rated leaders highly in demonstrating care.
    Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026
  • The complaint alleges those comments demonstrated bias and prejudice.
    Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 29 July 2026
Verb
  • The Daily Dividend Archer shares soared almost 20% yesterday after the air taxi company unveiled its autonomous military vehicle with Anduril.
    Alex Harring, CNBC, 21 July 2026
  • In 1972, Audemars Piguet unveiled the revolutionary Royal Oak, introducing the now-famous blue tapisserie dial.
    Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 21 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Display.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/display. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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