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
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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
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The beds are planted with a mix of edibles and ornamentals that can be enjoyed from the sitting area.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Feb. 2026
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Prune ornamental grasses to within a foot or two of the ground before growth begins.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Fill the base with white sand and a handful of small ornaments for interest at the base (the sand will also keep the display from tipping over).—
Miranda Crowell,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Feb. 2026
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Kelly green walls, golden chandeliers and vibrant red ornaments set the stage for a dining experience set to a '50s playlist of Sinatra and Dean Martin.—
USA TODAY NETWORK,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gaud.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gaud. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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