Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective garish contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of garish are flashy, gaudy, meretricious, and tawdry. While all these words mean "vulgarly or cheaply showy," garish describes what is distressingly or offensively bright.

garish neon signs

When might flashy be a better fit than garish?

While the synonyms flashy and garish are close in meaning, flashy implies an effect of brilliance quickly and easily seen to be shallow or vulgar.

a flashy nightclub act

Where would gaudy be a reasonable alternative to garish?

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

circus performers in gaudy costumes

When can meretricious be used instead of garish?

Although the words meretricious and garish have much in common, 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 could tawdry be used to replace garish?

While in some cases nearly identical to garish, 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 garish The category is maximalist midcentury glam, the glittering chlorine water sparkling through eBay Prada shades, a hotel with a garish lobby and a good X% off deal. Jd Shadel, Them., 21 Apr. 2025 Its fingerprint-resistant finish and seamless construction offer a clean, almost architectural presence—no clunky plastic, no garish branding, just elegant utility. Bailey Berg, Architectural Digest, 17 Apr. 2025 The word has become an epithet for garish, reckless growth — but to fix the housing crisis, the country needs more of it. Conor Dougherty, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025 Martinis are in order, as well as garish floral print shirts and oversized sombreros. David Weiss, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for garish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for garish
Adjective
  • But due to noise from the venue next door, which was playing loud music amid a competing bar, Bruni bailed even after the musicians were assembled on stage.
    Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 17 May 2025
  • Literal flames surrounded the glow, both repelling and drawing you in more, followed by two loud, disorienting thumps.
    Christopher Rosa, Glamour, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • Hike in groups: A group is noisier and smellier, the National Park Service said.
    Helena Wegner, Sacbee.com, 23 May 2025
  • At a 78th Cannes, which on the party side wasn’t as noisy as previous ones with drone shows (2022’s Elvis) and Elton John performing on the beach (2019’s Rocketman), leave it to amfAR‘s 31st fashionista blowout Cannes Gala at Hotel Du Cap at Eden Roc to steal the show.
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 23 May 2025
Adjective
  • Not everyone wants a stark, futuristic space box drowning in gaudy RGB lighting.
    Mitch Wallace, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
  • The power numbers haven’t been gaudy for either, but the core infielders are hitting the ball hard.
    Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 3 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Garish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/garish. Accessed 28 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on garish

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!