OSTENTATIOUS Synonyms: 162 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'ostentatious' different from other adjectives like it?

The words pretentious and showy are common synonyms of ostentatious . While all three words mean "given to excessive outward display," ostentatious stresses vainglorious display or parade. // the ostentatious summer homes of the rich

Q: When is it sensible to use 'pretentious' instead of 'ostentatious'?

The synonyms pretentious and ostentatious are sometimes interchangeable, but pretentious implies an appearance of importance not justified by the thing's value or the person's standing. // a pretentious parade of hard words

Q: When could 'showy' be used to replace 'ostentatious'?

The words showy and ostentatious are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, showy implies an imposing or striking appearance but usually suggests cheapness or poor taste. // the performers' showy costumes

ostentatious

adjective

ˌä-stən-ˈtā-shəs

Definition of ostentatious

as in loud

excessively showy wears an ostentatious diamond ring on his little finger

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in arrogant

self-consciously trying to present an appearance of grandeur or importance an ostentatious man who desperately wants to impress people with his newly acquired wealth

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word ostentatious different from other adjectives like it?

The words pretentious and showy are common synonyms of ostentatious. While all three words mean "given to excessive outward display," ostentatious stresses vainglorious display or parade.

the ostentatious summer homes of the rich

When is it sensible to use pretentious instead of ostentatious?

The synonyms pretentious and ostentatious are sometimes interchangeable, but pretentious implies an appearance of importance not justified by the thing's value or the person's standing.

a pretentious parade of hard words

When could showy be used to replace ostentatious?

The words showy and ostentatious are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, showy implies an imposing or striking appearance but usually suggests cheapness or poor taste.

the performers' showy costumes

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 ostentatious Kainerugaba’s associates describe him as a dedicated military officer who often eschews ostentatious displays of wealth. — Rodney Muhumuza, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026 Turner’s character, Declan O’Hara, is a righteous Irish journalist, also loquacious, also hot, but disgusted by ostentatious displays of wealth. — Anna Russell, New Yorker, 1 June 2026 This week, the hard realities of the office have threatened to overshadow the ostentatious UFC mixed martial arts extravaganza, where combatants sealed inside a wire-mesh octagon try to punch, kick, chop and pummel each other into submission. — ABC News, 14 June 2026 This week, the hard realities of the office have threatened to overshadow the ostentatious UFC mixed martial arts extravaganza, where combatants sealed inside a wire-mesh octagon try to punch, kick, chop, and pummel each other into submission. — Will Weissert, Christian Science Monitor, 14 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for ostentatious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ostentatious

Adjective

Despite a soggy start, the crowd stayed loud and energetic throughout the night.

— Anna McAllister, CBS News, 2 July 2026
There are loud crowds, and then there are Mexican soccer crowds.

— Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026

Definition of loud

Adjective

West Germany, arrogant attitude adjusted, pounded Chile, 4-1.

— David j. Neal, Miami Herald, 24 June 2026
Lasso, in his initial introduction to audiences, wasn’t the warm, pun-loving, inspirational coach audiences would eventually embrace through Apple +, but a slightly arrogant buffoon parodying the average American sports fan.

— Charles Moss, New York Times, 24 June 2026

Definition of arrogant

Adjective

Europe has long resisted air conditioning as noisy, an eyesore on architectural facades and unnecessary, as brutal summer heat has been relatively short-lived.

— Anniek Bao,Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 2 July 2026
The advertisement paints an ominous portrait, featuring a man in dark lighting standing in front of images of noisy computer servers.

— Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 1 July 2026

Definition of noisy

Adjective

While not quite so grandiose, Valdez says discussions are ongoing regarding the bird’s future.

— Ryan Steven Green, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026
Twenty-six years later, Kaufman was tapped to score indie developer Yacht Club Games’s Mina the Hollower, a throwback to the look and feel of 8-bit GBC games but with the type of colossal world, grandiose story, and elaborate gameplay typically reserved to the Soulsborne games.

— Billie Bugara, Pitchfork, 23 June 2026

Definition of grandiose

Adjective

The Saudi Suite A wedding gift from Crown Prince Fahd of Saudi Arabia, the Burmese sapphire and diamond Saudi Suite consisted of a necklace, pendants, a ring, a bracelet, earrings, and a rather gaudy watch.

— Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 26 June 2026
Chawinga, the back-to-back league MVP, has been a top on-field producer for the Current since arriving in 2024 as a relative unknown, despite gaudy statistics at Chinese club Wuhan Jianghan.

— PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 22 June 2026

Definition of gaudy

Adjective

The 101 recipes are chef-smart without being pretentious or complicated.

— Sheela Prakash, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 July 2026
But there’s much to like here — from the two leads, the numerous Bay Area shots (the Golden Gate Bridge should get a supporting actor credit), Nick Offerman as a pretentious, cruel chef and Lukas Gage as a clueless cretin love interest/coworker.

— Randy Myers, Mercury News, 24 June 2026

Definition of pretentious

Adjective

For Holland, Buffett, and Musk, accumulating wealth hasn’t necessarily translated into extravagant spending.

— Preston Fore, Fortune, 7 July 2026
Northland through my eyes Kansas City’s time in the limelight hosting World Cup matches and extravagant watch parties is quickly approaching its end.

— Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 7 July 2026

Definition of extravagant

Adjective

Among them a City boy wearing three Fit-Bit-type devices, two beautiful Middle Eastern sisters, an outrageously pompous elderly American (sorry; eavesdropping), and several Imelda Marcos lookalikes, tottering out of the treatment rooms with, somehow, their elaborate hairstyles still intact.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
Far from being arty or pompous, Tull laced its sound with a wicked sense of humor and occasional social commentary.

— Ernesto Lechner, SPIN, 25 May 2026

Definition of pompous

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“Ostentatious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ostentatious. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of ostentatious

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