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 flashy Or perhaps a very flashy bit of chainmail. Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 14 Sep. 2025 Outside of the flashy operations that splash the headlines of Western media occasionally, the day-to-day tactical use of drones has also dramatically increased. Joseph Nepomuceno, The Washington Examiner, 13 Sep. 2025 Brands began pulling stunts, breaking news and unveiling flashy concept cars. Liam Rappleye, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025 The flashy girl from Flushing is back with some old friends. Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for flashy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flashy
Adjective
  • On top of that, the glossy colors and neutral prints look stylish and match with everything.
    Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
  • After decades of simple stemware and minimalist tumblers, wild, eye-catching vessels now adorn stylish tables.
    New York Times, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • McIlroy received the loudest cheers of the day as his eagle shot dropped in on the par 5.
    Caoimhe O'Neill, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2025
  • And instead of Mulder talking about his fond memories playing for the A’s in Oakland, a loud and repeating beep echoed through the public address system.
    Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Our cabin lacked a TV or a desk but had a snazzy shower and a near-360-degree view of the woods, river or the night sky when the black-out curtains were opened.
    Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2025
  • These days, Stewart’s concerts take their cues from his long-running Las Vegas residencies, and there was a snazzy polish to Tuesday’s proceedings.
    Brian McCollum, Freep.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Just a 10-minute stroll from the city center, the elevation affords something akin to a retreat; Bolaño feels spirited away from the noisy streets, surrounded instead by humming cicadas and chirping birds.
    Keith Flanagan, Architectural Digest, 11 Sep. 2025
  • In the vast and noisy Southern Ocean, such predictability may be the key to helping rivals or potential mates recognize an individual voice across miles of ice and water.
    Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Many have compared the silhouette to the once-fashionable Balenciaga Triple-S, another behemoth of a sneaker.
    Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Created by Buffy alum and Cabin in the Woods director Drew Goddard, ABC's crime drama stars Kaitlin Olson as an eccentric (and fashionable) janitor with a genius-level IQ who stumbles into a consulting role with the Los Angeles Police Department.
    Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Beck’s numbers through three starts with the Canes aren’t as gaudy as Ward’s were in wins over Florida, Florida A&M and Ball State a year ago, but the competition has been better, and his completion percentage is higher.
    Manny Navarro, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2025
  • The Tigers piled up gaudy stats Saturday.
    Maddie Hartley, Kansas City Star, 14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Some of Chelsea’s other successful corner routines haven’t been quite as neat, with a series of half-clearances and scuffed contacts forcing scraps in the six-yard box before other teammates could apply the finishing touch.
    Thom Harris, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Charles Marquis Warren’s direction pinpoints the action with neat perfection.
    Hal Landers, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • With adjustable sleeves and a boxy fit, the Abercrombie & Fitch Cropped Trench Coat is a cool, lightweight layer for brisk evenings, and the army green shade is especially on-trend.
    Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 14 Sep. 2025
  • Because of its open-work design, the sweater makes a versatile choice for cool, end-of-summer nights and warm fall days.
    Mia Huelsbeck, People.com, 14 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Flashy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flashy. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

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