OSTENTATION Synonyms: 58 Similar and Opposite Words

ostentation

noun

ˌä-stən-ˈtā-shən

Definition of ostentation

as in pomp

excessive or unnecessary display the sheer ostentation of the rock star's mansion was overwhelming

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 ostentation This gesture contrasts in the central avenue of Vassilissis Sofia, with the ostentation of the immediate official buildings, where the flags are flying full. — Diego Parrado, Vanity Fair, 18 Jan. 2026 The lack of ostentation is in line with my impression of the surgeon himself. — Mary Roach, Wired News, 10 Nov. 2025 What existed in the White House was a relative lack of ostentation — formal, but showing occasional signs of wear and tear, proof that this was a People’s House, not a palace. — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2025 Formula 1 has Monaco, with its ostentation and air of exclusivity. — Jonathan Hawkins, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ostentation

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ostentation

Noun

No pomp, no circumstance, no celebrity— this is the sticky ground floor of the nation’s country music scene.

— Jacqueline Kehoe, Midwest Living, 19 Aug. 2026
Bonanno, one of its original members, is said to have eschewed the pomp and public appearances of his contemporaries and remained a low-profile figure into the 1950s.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of pomp

Noun

Clad in pine paneling, the cabins go light on ornamentation, instead emphasizing the surrounding landscape.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 July 2026
Master model designer Milan Madge incorporated metallic gold elements and raised textures to capture the original's rich ornamentation and depth.

— Matt Gardner, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Definition of ornamentation

Noun

The battle at the University of Costa Rica gained significant attention, with some viewers leaving comments on the videos over the spectacle.

— Mitchell McCluskey, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
The events have all had a Trumpian flair, featuring appearances from his friends and the aim of showcasing spectacle, Americana and power.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of spectacle

Noun

Gloria is a user, a poseur extraordinaire; her fluttery flamboyance, rooted in insecurity, summons another Gloria, the one from Sunset Blvd.

— Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 7 Aug. 2026
And there was Erling Haaland living his best Norwegian life, terrifying on the pitch and absurd off it, multiplying his stardom with a flamboyance and humor that didn’t detract from his serious talent.

— Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 20 July 2026

Definition of flamboyance

Noun

The Navy is reportedly planning to recommend Miller’s name for the Medal of Honor—the country’s highest military decoration for acts of valor—although the final award would need to be approved by Congress.

— Siladitya Ray, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
All the signs that summer is winding down are here — kids heading back to school, the days getting shorter and Halloween decorations taking over stores.

— Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of decoration

Noun

The progression of clothing seen in each section is meant to reflect the state of the world before, during and after the crash, a transition from glitz and glam to practical silhouettes meant for labor.

— Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 15 Aug. 2026
Behind the glitz of Michael Jackson’s larger-than-life world, Paris Jackson said her father enforced a strict rule to protect his children’s sense of normalcy.

— Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of glitz

Noun

But then, what is art if not an attempt to tidy up the real world’s teeming luxuriance?

— Sebastian Smee, Washington Post, 5 Dec. 2023
The comic luxuriance of Roman references should not blind us to the significance of these constant appeals to the Roman Republic and to classical virtue.

— Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2022

Definition of luxuriance

Noun

The Dominick is all floor-to-ceiling windows, soaking tubs, rooftop pools, and moody light fixtures — in other words, its 46 stories are peppered with elements that exude upscale, sophisticated energy while avoiding all signs of gaudiness.

— Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 2 Mar. 2026
So that drove a kind of character choice as well about the gaudiness of the society.

— Kelsie Gibson, PEOPLE, 1 Feb. 2026

Definition of gaudiness

Browse Nearby Words

ostensively

ostentation

ostentatious

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“Ostentation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ostentation. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of ostentation

noun

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