1
2

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 During its heyday, the light yellow was warming, but not as potentially ostentatious as gold. R. Daniel Foster, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025 Lamborghinis ostentatious, Corvettes simplistic, BMWs arrogant. Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 15 Sep. 2025 Overblown, ostentatious hybrids of classical and local styles, kitschily ornamented with classical detail, all on a scale meant to be overwhelming rather than inviting—that’s what Big Brother’s city hall always looks like. Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 6 Sep. 2025 Now, the Chinese leader is set to exhibit a very different image with an ostentatious show of military might. Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ostentatious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ostentatious
Adjective
  • The signs are loud, don’t worry.
    Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025
  • On land, louder environments like running alongside traffic might compete a little too much with talking audio – noise-canceling earbuds or over-ear headphones are better in this setting.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Some might see you as arrogant.
    Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Jackson returns as Wes Bryant, a handsome, intelligent, but arrogant man who had just moved to Seattle and was revealed to be a new medical intern at Grey Sloan.
    Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Cregger wrote the screenplay in his garage next to a noisy refrigerator.
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Kids were often outside on bikes and scooters and roller skates, playing tag or touch football, turning cartwheels on the lawns, being noisy.
    Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The train will then head to the charming, cliffside resort town of Ravello, where guests will enjoy a two-night stay in Belmond’s grandiose Caruso hotel.
    Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Younger already has plans to adapt her grandiose culinary plans to her pregnancy.
    Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Critics said Trump had pushed for the extravagant parade not to commemorate the armed forces, but as a display of his own vanity.
    NPR, NPR, 19 Oct. 2025
  • While some may view it as extravagant goods and high-end services, others see it as occasional splurges, unique experiences and good health.
    Maddie McGay, USA Today, 18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • But that doesn’t mean the iconic duo is too pretentious to visit the local pubs from time to time, according to a 2023 Allure interview.
    Michelle Duncan, Architectural Digest, 9 Oct. 2025
  • And though all of Anderson’s artistry and jittery comedic sensibility is present, the director hasn’t created a pretentious version of an action flick; One Battle After Another is the real thing, filled with beautifully shot car chases and shoot-outs.
    David Sims, The Atlantic, 18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Her gaudy sales numbers mirror her Eras Tour live statistics, which were similarly Barry-Bonds-on-steroids margins beyond other successful stadium artists.
    Eric Renner Brown, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2025
  • The Panthers have allowed opposing quarterbacks to play well outside of the Falcons’ Michael Penix in Week 3, but even then, the opposing QBs’ numbers haven’t been all that gaudy.
    Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • While The Morning Show presents the news business as glossy and glamorous (and often a little pompous), The Paper takes the opposite view with the documentary crew from The Office now focusing on a dying newspaper in Ohio.
    Emma Alpern, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Guigal’s strategy isn’t built on pompous conservatism, but in long-term thinking.
    Paul Caputo, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Ostentatious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ostentatious. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on ostentatious

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!