as in showy
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Recent Examples of frilly
Blooming over a long season, the fragrant, frilly blooms draw Gulf Fritillary and other butterfly species to the garden.
—
Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 19 Feb. 2026
Aburn made frilly silk mini dresses and sequin fringe skirts and draped high-slit skirts with zip-up hoodies.
—José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 19 Feb. 2026
Amal glowed in a frilly lace dress next to her husband at the Wolfs Venice Film Festival premiere in 2024, which saw Brad Pitt and George reunite on-screen for the first time since 2012's 8.
—Alex Apatoff, PEOPLE, 4 Feb. 2026
Gatorade, with all its fancy colors and frilly names, seems to clash with the essence of Mike Vrabel.
—J.j. Bailey, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Both children wore coordinated pink letterman jackets with white sleeves, with Marilyn wearing a frilly tulle pink skirt and Phoenix in a pair of black jeans.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 21 Jan. 2026
Their big, frilly mouths opened to reveal kaleidoscopic color schemes—electric lime, violet, and yellow—and no two were alike.
—Susan Casey, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026
Both the stems and frilly leaves are put to use in this vegetarian-friendly lasagna, complete with layers of noodles, tomatoes, and plenty of mozzarella cheese.
—Riley Wofford, Martha Stewart, 31 Dec. 2025
So don’t let anyone guilt you into staying in Little Mikey’s room, or even the guest room with the frilly pillow shams.
—Marla Jo Fisher, Oc Register, 3 Dec. 2025
Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 19 Feb. 2026
Aburn made frilly silk mini dresses and sequin fringe skirts and draped high-slit skirts with zip-up hoodies.
—José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 19 Feb. 2026
Amal glowed in a frilly lace dress next to her husband at the Wolfs Venice Film Festival premiere in 2024, which saw Brad Pitt and George reunite on-screen for the first time since 2012's 8.
—Alex Apatoff, PEOPLE, 4 Feb. 2026
Gatorade, with all its fancy colors and frilly names, seems to clash with the essence of Mike Vrabel.
—J.j. Bailey, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Both children wore coordinated pink letterman jackets with white sleeves, with Marilyn wearing a frilly tulle pink skirt and Phoenix in a pair of black jeans.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 21 Jan. 2026
Their big, frilly mouths opened to reveal kaleidoscopic color schemes—electric lime, violet, and yellow—and no two were alike.
—Susan Casey, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026
Both the stems and frilly leaves are put to use in this vegetarian-friendly lasagna, complete with layers of noodles, tomatoes, and plenty of mozzarella cheese.
—Riley Wofford, Martha Stewart, 31 Dec. 2025
So don’t let anyone guilt you into staying in Little Mikey’s room, or even the guest room with the frilly pillow shams.
—Marla Jo Fisher, Oc Register, 3 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frilly
Adjective
-
Eco effort La Sultana Oualidia’s planet-friendly approach prioritizes a dynamic impact on its local environment without ever feeling showy, and many of their most meaningful initiatives may fly under the radar even for guests.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Its green leaves have a silvery underside for beautiful dimension, while the flowers are white, showy, and fragrant.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
These characteristics are amplified by Fire, a flamboyant element that represents boldness, passion, and action.—
Marie Bladt,
Vogue,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Mays and Clemmett are well matched as antagonists, balancing the flamboyant flaws and stubborn humanity of their characters.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Advertisement The only word to describe Liu’s skate is exuberant.—
Alice Park,
Time,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The single is accompanied by a fun, dramatic, and exuberant video — filmed in Miami — that shows Castro and the members of Bajofondo in glam rock like never before.—
Natalia Cano,
Billboard,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
For Araminta, a woman who has always lived within society’s strictures, Sophie is just another rule to follow — and Leung does so with sneering menace, extravagant goth gowns, and a purposefully maternal approach.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
19 Feb. 2026
-
These experiences are undeniably extravagant—and also fleeting.—
Melissa Petro,
Travel + Leisure,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Set to a jazzy score and shot on the streets, The Only Living Pickpocket in New York is filled with life, though not in an ostentatious, masquerading way.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
19 Feb. 2026
-
In fact, director William Wyler’s 1939 Hollywood adaptation — with its ostentatious outfits and romantic focus — feels like a better companion piece than the original literary source material.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
12 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Jackson resigned and formed his own organization, PUSH – which originally stood for People United to Save Humanity before being amended to the less grandiose People United to Serve Humanity.—
Paul Grein,
Billboard,
17 Feb. 2026
-
In Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Williams draws us into the characters' magical realm with a playful yet slightly sinister music box theme that soon expands out into a grandiose series of orchestral broomstick swoops, setting the stage for the mega-successful series to come.—
Alex Galbraith,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The gap between how Trump is perceived by some Republicans (strong and confident) and his actual persona (overwrought and histrionic) is large.—
Mark Leibovich,
The Atlantic,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Two, that party snacks need not be expensive and overwrought to be truly delicious.—
The Bon Appétit,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Come evening, the space becomes an elegant bar, pouring a shortlist of signature cocktails inspired by the neighborhood.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Feb. 2026
-
On the contrary, a living room is a formal room, classically appointed with elegant furnishings—and there’s rarely a television in sight.—
Josh Miller,
Southern Living,
21 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Frilly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frilly. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
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