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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Example Sentences
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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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Taller ornamental grasses work well for the vertical element in more permanent in-ground mum displays, and dwarf varieties, which are still often two feet tall, are well-suited for fall container designs.—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 Sep. 2025
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Mealybugs can affect all types of crops, ornamentals, and houseplants, including succulents and cacti.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
31 July 2025
Noun
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Sew letters, stars, and shapes to hang on your tree, making sure to stuff the ornaments with cotton before sewing them closed to give a 3-D look.—
Claire Hoppe Norgaard,
Better Homes & Gardens,
23 Sep. 2025
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At Christmas, beginning at Thanksgiving, the restaurant became a landscape of shimmering presents, trees and ornaments.—
Eric Adler,
Kansas City Star,
23 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gaud.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gaud. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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