pageants

plural of pageant
1
as in parades
a staged presentation often with music that consists of a procession of narrated or enacted scenes we always put on a Christmas pageant every year

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2
as in exhibits
an elaborate, visually exciting show or event an annual summertime pageant depicting the town's founding and colorful early history

Synonyms & Similar 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 pageants Beyond her work in pageants, Malcolm was an actress, television presenter, and dance instructor. Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 20 July 2026 Her daughters Charli, 6, and Lacie Lou, 4, have been competing in pageants since a very young age, with Charli making her stage debut at just 8 months old. Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026 Immersive museums, covered wagon campgrounds, pageants, and hands-on historical sites breathe life into Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books and make her characters come alive. Alicia Underlee Nelson, Midwest Living, 22 June 2026 From competitive cheerleading and dance to beauty pageants, my mother put me in it all. Amanda Le, InStyle, 4 June 2026 For adult pageants, the organization will send Lianet Aguilera to Miss Supranational and Juan Daniel Naranjo to Mister Supranational, both contests held in Poland. Sarah Moreno may 31, Miami Herald, 31 May 2026 As a teenager, Bajaria helped her immigrant family’s business, washing cars before winning a string of beauty pageants, including Miss India Worldwide in 1991. Preston Fore, Fortune, 29 May 2026 The festival includes dancing, singing, and beauty pageants. Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 May 2026 The world’s first boardwalk opened here in 1870, and by the early 20th century, Atlantic City had become one of America’s great leisure capitals, home to grand seaside hotels, beauty pageants, and supper clubs, frequented by legendary performers like Frank Sinatra, Duke Ellington, and The Beatles. Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pageants
Noun
  • At the same time, Lindell is being investigated for possible violation of campaign regulations for giving away pillows at parades.
    Esme Murphy, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
  • New and vintage car shows, forums, memorabilia, parades and vintage racing abound.
    James Raia, Mercury News, 2 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Highlights are a bake and craft sale, farm exhibits, kids’ activities and contests.
    Kaitlyn Keegan, Hartford Courant, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Plan to spend at least three hours exploring the trolls, exhibits, and its surrounding trails.
    Lisa Greissinger, Travel + Leisure, 7 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • It’s designed for anyone who wants to retain information more effectively, whether that’s preparing for exams, remembering presentations, learning new skills, or simply reducing forgetfulness.
    StackCommerce Team, PC Magazine, 9 Aug. 2026
  • NextSlide developed technology that turns prompts, notes, documents, and research into polished, editable presentations.
    Rachel Wells, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The exhibitions here dive into Black experience both in Canada and beyond.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Cruz said school community outreach events for Spanish and Arabic speaking students and families are very popular, with food, dancing exhibitions and more.
    Janice Neumann, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • In general, seek a perch with clear panoramas—such as a hilltop or open field instead of a thick forest.
    Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 6 Aug. 2026
  • At the top of the residence, a rooftop deck offers 360-degree panoramas stretching from the Santa Monica Pier and Catalina Island to the Palos Verdes Peninsula.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 18 July 2026
Noun
  • Over the next 710 days, Earth will experience three total solar eclipses visible from Europe, Africa and Australia, giving travelers an unusually accessible chance to witness one of nature’s rarest spectacles.
    Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
  • During totality, the sun itself puts on one of nature's greatest spectacles — and that's where your attention should be.
    Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • In those films, Nolan retained his auteurist fire while creating big, bold populist extravaganzas.
    Brent Lang, Variety, 21 July 2026
  • Today, her various closets are brimming with country clothes instead of the designer extravaganzas of yore.
    Hamish Bowles, Vogue, 5 July 2026
Noun
  • For centuries, India’s rulers treasured these precious stones, decorating their palaces, thrones, and crowns with them, and wearing them in lavish displays of wealth and opulence.
    Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Lionel Messi, 39, had attributed his emotional displays early in the tournament to a family situation.
    Shayna Jacobs, NBC news, 8 Aug. 2026

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“Pageants.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pageants. Accessed 12 Aug. 2026.

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