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 Trend forecasters have been touting the boom-boom aesthetic of shoulder pads and power suits and garish displays of excess while Donald Trump, ’80s tabloid fixture turned actual president, is back in the office. Alison Willmore, Vulture, 6 May 2025 In an online space dominated by advertisements and garish displays of wealth, content that encourages users not to buy anything new can be both empowering and, in Dean’s words, kind of radical. Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 22 Apr. 2025 That team was as garish and chaotic as any other Mets squad, albeit much more talented than most. Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 5 May 2025 Most paper traps are a bright shade of yellow, especially garish against a more neutral background. Bestreviews, Mercury News, 18 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for garish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for garish
Adjective
  • The brands that stand out aren’t louder—they’re the ones willing to hand something over.
    Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • Attempt to frighten away coyotes by making loud noises (e.g., shouting, air horn) and acting aggressively (e.g., waving your arms, throwing sticks, spraying with a hose).
    Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • These creatures can be very noisy, but there's a purpose.
    Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 22 July 2025
  • There are also elements that people tend to notice only when things go wrong, like if a restaurant is too noisy.
    Sofia Perez, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
Adjective
  • At the time, unnatural hair color was considered gaudy, a threat to the beloved ingenue aesthetic boasted by female stars such as Audrey Hepburn.
    Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 30 June 2025
  • But Oklahoma City engulfs basketball’s gaudiest attacks not in spite of its hacking but because of it.
    Fred Katz, New York Times, 16 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Garish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/garish. Accessed 26 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on garish

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