as in cheese
something that is of low quality but that many people find amusing and enjoyable
The restaurant is decorated with 1950s furniture and kitsch from old TV shows.
Related Words
Relevance
as in kitschy
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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 kitsch
Zoey Goto, Architectural Digest, 6 May 2026
Of course, Carly’s kitsch far outdid her neighbors’ in its oddness, luridness, lavishness.
—Olivia Kan-Sperling, Artforum, 2 May 2026
Riza Cruz, Vogue, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for kitsch
Noun
The Florida native, who studied sculpture in college and has an academic interest in erotic art and kitsch, spent 15 years with Playboy (partly as a Cyber Girl, the virtual equivalent of the in-print Playmate), and joined OnlyFans in 2020 before purchasing the home she’s dubbed Ho Château.
—Zoey Goto, Architectural Digest, 6 May 2026
Of course, Carly’s kitsch far outdid her neighbors’ in its oddness, luridness, lavishness.
—Olivia Kan-Sperling, Artforum, 2 May 2026
Adjective
The Formica interior is from the 1960s and is wonderfully kitsch, perfect for that Insta photo.
—Riza Cruz, Vogue, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for kitsch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kitsch
Noun
-
It is discussed and compared to the taste of other white cheeses eaten in the past.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 June 2026
-
The chain has a devoted following for products such as its chocolate cake, cheese cave, bison french onion dip, queso and regional hot dog brands like Zweigle’s and Hoffman’s.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
8 June 2026
Adjective
-
Thematically, the park was a nostalgic throwback, with a classic — if sometimes kitschy — presentation of American iconography and history.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
29 May 2026
-
Additionally, chunky metal belts and kitschy bags are other ways Texans add a bit of personality to their looks.—
Alyssa Morin,
InStyle,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
Repair experts waited behind long cafeteria tables to teach alternatives, giving people chances to learn that flawed goods aren’t automatically junk.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 June 2026
-
What do a pet waste management company, a junk hauling service and disaster restoration specialists have in common?—
Mirtha Donastorg,
AJC.com,
2 June 2026
Adjective
-
Her music owned up to being horny, garish, and superficial, but could scan as thin or cheap when held up to other kinds of ethical or political scrutiny.—
Harry Tafoya,
Pitchfork,
2 June 2026
-
The film charts how Suzuki redefined postwar Japanese cinema by defying the conventions of the studio system, forging a style built on garish pop-art imagery and aggressive formal experimentation.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
20 May 2026
Noun
-
With no petrol to run dustbin trucks, rubbish is being burnt in the streets.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
31 May 2026
-
Historically, this ash is dumped in piles, mixed in cement, or simply thrown away as industrial rubbish.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
24 May 2026
Adjective
-
Thanks to gaudy numbers, the South Carolina recruit rarely sees a lot of pitches to hit.—
Paul Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
2 June 2026
-
There’s no room, however, to elevate the presidency created by the revolution of 1776 into a gaudy cult of personality.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
All those unappetizing items go in your brown yard waste cart, not the black trash cart or the blue recycle cart.—
Terri Daxon,
Oc Register,
28 May 2026
-
Do not place the plant in the trash or a compost bin.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
28 May 2026
Adjective
-
Chicago stories, books about music or celebrities, history lessons, or tawdry, trashy novels that are secretly good?—
Kayla Samoy,
Chicago Tribune,
3 June 2026
-
For those who know the play well, some of Mantello’s choices are most striking, especially the horror here of the famous hotel-room scene with a tawdry lover (brutally played by Katherine Romans), an act born of loneliness that destroys a father’s relationship with his son forever.—
Chris Jones,
New York Daily News,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Kitsch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kitsch. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
