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flashy

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adjective

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective flashy contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of flashy are garish, gaudy, meretricious, and tawdry. While all these words mean "vulgarly or cheaply showy," flashy implies an effect of brilliance quickly and easily seen to be shallow or vulgar.

a flashy nightclub act

When can garish be used instead of flashy?

Although the words garish and flashy have much in common, garish describes what is distressingly or offensively bright.

garish neon signs

When is it sensible to use gaudy instead of flashy?

The meanings of gaudy and flashy largely overlap; however, gaudy implies a tasteless use of overly bright, often clashing colors or excessive ornamentation.

circus performers in gaudy costumes

When might meretricious be a better fit than flashy?

The synonyms meretricious and flashy are sometimes interchangeable, but meretricious stresses falsity and may describe a tawdry show that beckons with a false allure or promise.

a meretricious wasteland of casinos and bars

When would tawdry be a good substitute for flashy?

In some situations, the words tawdry and flashy are roughly equivalent. However, tawdry applies to what is at once gaudy and cheap and sleazy.

tawdry saloons

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 flashiness
Adjective
His flashiest assists were offset by foolhardy turnovers. Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2025 Neither gravitates toward the flashier aspects of the virtuoso life style. Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025 Those chasing flashy marketing will be left behind. Lutz Finger, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025 Strategic workforce management isn’t about slashing headcount for the sake of flashy cost-cutting. Sherzod Odilov, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for flashiness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flashiness
Noun
  • As luxury fashion began to tilt toward flamboyance and logo-happy flash, the Meiers were unafraid to show something as stark as pencil-straight dark trousers with a white button-up.
    Jacob Gallagher, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2025
  • That’s why the two-level Red Katz has the allure of a Parisian brasserie, the flamboyance of a 1930s New York City speakeasy and a mouthwatering menu that beautifully blends their Asian roots and French epicureanism.
    Lily Templeton, WWD, 27 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Its stylish design and advanced features ensure future-proof functionality, even as 4K streaming is becoming more common.
    Shubham Yewale, PC Magazine, 25 Apr. 2025
  • While brooches today have made their way onto the runways and been worn by some of the most stylish people—think Sebastian Stan and Colman Domingo at the Oscars, et al—these accessories have long been about more than just aesthetics.
    Ariel Kanter, Vogue, 25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • While exposure to loud noises is a common cause of hair cell damage in humans, hearing loss in dogs is usually attributed to genetics or the natural aging process.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025
  • According to cops, Mette, while inside Tamara’s Beauty Bar, a salon on Lenox Ave. near W. 113th St., heard a loud argument between two groups about 10:20 p.m. Tuesday.
    Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 24 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The pink-and-brown mansion, often considered a monument to Roaring 20s ostentation, stretches from Lake Worth to the Atlantic Ocean and contains 58 bedrooms, 33 bathrooms, three bomb shelters, a theater, a ballroom and a nine-hole golf course.
    Miami Herasld Archives, Miami Herald, 7 Jan. 2025
  • The mansion, often considered a monument to Roaring ‘20s ostentation, stretches from the Intracoastal to the Atlantic Ocean.
    Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Also, the uniform requirement — Hoka or ON sneakers, Lululemon tank, pants or leggings, or a snazzy blazer — is a bit much.
    Zach Przystup, Baltimore Sun, 24 Mar. 2025
  • The primary suite comes complete with two closets, along with a luxe bath containing dual vanities, a snazzy soaking tub, and a glassy shower.
    Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • For example, secondary insomnia can develop due to issues such as chronic pain, a noisy environment, or stress about finances.
    Smita Patel, Verywell Health, 28 Apr. 2025
  • In a noisy job market, your personal brand, digital presence, and network are critical assets.
    Sho Dewan, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The glitz and glamour of the UFC is shown, as is the obvious physical, mental, and emotional toll fighting takes on Kerr.
    Lauren Huff, EW.com, 29 Apr. 2025
  • But despite the glitz and glamour, being a young actor on a kids’ network also came with a unique set of responsibilities.
    Jordan Greene, People.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • By the 1960s, women were making more fashionable style choices.
    Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 15 Apr. 2025
  • Newly single Rachel Zoe, meanwhile, made a grand entrance flanked by a fashionable crew.
    Brianne Tracy, People.com, 15 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Flashiness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flashiness. Accessed 3 May. 2025.

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