as in ornamental
a small object displayed for its attractiveness or interest
some tacky little gaud that they had picked up at a souvenir stand at an amusement park
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 gaud
At the other end is the caricature, butt of flabby jokes, trussed in Las Vegas gaud, voice prostituted to a huge orchestra.
—
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Aug. 2019
Even its colors, silver and space gray, seem to have been chosen for their lack of gaud—no blingy gold model here.
—
David Pierce,
WIRED,
3 Nov. 2017
In their novels, the disorienting clash between Soviet gloom and American gaud is the source of dramatic tension, exploited for tragedy and, more often, comedy.
—
Nathaniel Rich,
New York Times,
24 Jan. 2017
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Aug. 2019
Even its colors, silver and space gray, seem to have been chosen for their lack of gaud—no blingy gold model here.
—
David Pierce,
WIRED,
3 Nov. 2017
In their novels, the disorienting clash between Soviet gloom and American gaud is the source of dramatic tension, exploited for tragedy and, more often, comedy.
—
Nathaniel Rich,
New York Times,
24 Jan. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gaud
Noun
-
The plant was a Japanese yew, an ornamental that is toxic and deadly to horses, according to the report.
-
Many of the plants on this list can be interplanted with ornamentals in garden beds and around your patio or deck.
Noun
-
These ornaments were originally intended to symbolize speed, elegance and technological optimism.
-
In one clip, Horner could be seen holding a ring box that had been hung like an ornament on a Christmas tree.
Cite this Entry
“Gaud.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gaud. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
