Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective gaudy contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of gaudy are flashy, garish, meretricious, and tawdry. While all these words mean "vulgarly or cheaply showy," gaudy implies a tasteless use of overly bright, often clashing colors or excessive ornamentation.

circus performers in gaudy costumes

When could flashy be used to replace gaudy?

The words flashy and gaudy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, flashy implies an effect of brilliance quickly and easily seen to be shallow or vulgar.

a flashy nightclub act

When is garish a more appropriate choice than gaudy?

While in some cases nearly identical to gaudy, garish describes what is distressingly or offensively bright.

garish neon signs

Where would meretricious be a reasonable alternative to gaudy?

The synonyms meretricious and gaudy are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 is it sensible to use tawdry instead of gaudy?

In some situations, the words tawdry and gaudy are roughly equivalent. However, 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 gaudy The end result is some gaudy revenue and EBITDA numbers: $174.5 million in revenue and $144 million in EBITDA for 2024. Alex Sherman, CNBC, 5 June 2025 In an incisive observation of the way that an adult’s words can sometimes settle on a child with unusual weight, I-Jing absorbs this folk superstition without question, and begins to shoplift gaudy trinkets from surrounding market stalls, only ever using her evil left hand. Jessica Kiang, Variety, 15 May 2025 Kentucky’s Andy Beshear boasts a positively gaudy 68% approval rating in his deep-red state, the highest of any Democratic governor in the country, according to Morning Consult’s nationwide survey. Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2025 Not everyone wants a stark, futuristic space box drowning in gaudy RGB lighting. Mitch Wallace, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for gaudy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gaudy
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
  • While a Daiquiri is snappy, the Daisy de Santiago is garish.
    Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 11 July 2025
  • Here, as elsewhere, the president is taking an existing elite failing to its garish extreme.
    Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 15 May 2025
Adjective
  • Transparent — these see-through beauts with wrap-up ankle straps are in a league of their own, saying a lot without ever appearing too flashy.
    Stacia Datskovska, WWD, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Amid the classic, flashy film and television premieres this week at SXSW, the festival also offered a forum for burgeoning creators to showcase their work in the Independent TV Pilot Program.
    Katie Campione, Deadline, 14 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Gaudy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gaudy. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on gaudy

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