kitsch 1 of 2

noun

Definition of kitschnext
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.

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kitsch

2 of 2

adjective

as in kitschy

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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
Noun
Head down to The Strip at Geneva-on-the-Lake for neon kitsch and boardwalk-style arcade games, rides and entertainment. — Julia Sayers Gokhale, Midwest Living, 13 July 2026 And generally with these designers the matter of taste comes into play—be that Wun’s keenness for kitsch or Malhotra and Mishra’s indulgence. — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 8 July 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
  1. cheese
  2. kitschy
  3. junk
  4. garish
  5. rubbish
  6. gaudy
  7. trash
  8. tawdry
Noun
  • While not immune to echoes, most people are chatting about the lineup of Czech cheeses, cured meats, and breads on offer.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026
  • At the buffet, fill your plate with local cheeses, breads, muesli and cured meats like Schopfspeck prepared by the on-site butcher, or order from the à la carte menu and watch as the chefs prepare each dish in the open kitchen.
    — Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of cheese
Adjective
  • The New 12-Course Dining Experience Dinner and a show usually means a kitschy Medieval Times performance or maybe a community theater production.
    — Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 22 July 2026
  • If nautical times are in your future, this sweet and sophisticated seersucker minidress will complement boat rides and oyster happy hour without feeling too kitschy.
    — Irene Richardson, InStyle, 14 July 2026
Definition of kitschy
Noun
  • This event underscores the increasing issue of space junk, especially as NASA plans future moonbases.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • Trying to get through Master Farseeker’s musings in a section called Poetics of a Jedi was about as straightforward as bartering with a Teedo junk trader.
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 27 July 2026
Definition of junk
Adjective
  • Our test car’s blue-and-silver two-tone finish was striking without becoming garish, though subtlety is always relative when the hood stretches this far and the grille resembles the entrance to a private bank.
    — Karl Brauer, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
  • Once, plastic surgery seemed garish, its own obvious signs a kind of cost that people paid for refusing to appear old.
    — Jia Tolentino, New Yorker, 11 July 2026
Definition of garish
Noun
  • This comes at the expense of no movement in the wrist, but to be fair, having the lightsaber pointed in any other direction would look rubbish.
    — Matt Gardner, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • Only construction waste will be accepted at the landfill such as, brush and rubbish, concrete, brick, rock, wood, paper, plastics, cardboard and roofing shingles and tiles.
    — Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 July 2026
Definition of rubbish
Adjective
  • The Colorado Rockies’ history books are littered with elite offensive names and gaudy statistics.
    — Sam Blum, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • Unsurprisingly, the undefeated Columbus team’s players dominated the top of the player standings, with Hurricane Tyra Black leading the way with an 11-1 record and a gaudy 77% points won rate.
    — Todd Boss, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
Definition of gaudy
Noun
  • Or the convention center in Christchurch that became carbon zero because one young staffer started auditing the trash bins.
    — Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • In The Athletic’s anonymous annual player poll, he has been voted the NFL’s biggest trash talker and most annoying player.
    — Tim Graham, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of trash
Adjective
  • So graceful and powerful, without feeling tawdry.
    — Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 22 June 2026
  • Chicago stories, books about music or celebrities, history lessons, or tawdry, trashy novels that are secretly good?
    — Kayla Samoy, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2026
Definition of tawdry

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Cite this Entry

“Kitsch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kitsch. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on kitsch

Nglish: Translation of kitsch for Spanish Speakers

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