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
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Recent Examples of pageants
The state and national pageants showcase the talents, brains and looks of the woman synonymous with American beauty.
—
Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 4 Feb. 2026
The beauty queen won five pageants — Miss West Coast, Miss Nuestra Belleza USA, Miss Fresno County, Miss Regional West and Miss California Congeniality.
—Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026
She is also credited as the music supervisor for the NAACP Image Awards and several Miss Universe pageants, most recently in 2023.
—Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 26 Jan. 2026
Their work included filming weddings, dance performances, theatrical productions and local pageants at venues throughout San Diego County.
—Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026
The island-wide celebration includes concerts, parades, cultural activities, and pageants, while numerous fairs celebrate the best in local art and culture.
—Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 4 Jan. 2026
One of the most beloved holiday specials ever made doesn’t start with costumed pageants, joyful carols or snowmen come to life but with a self-aware declaration of seasonal depression.
—Abigail Rosenthal, Mercury News, 24 Dec. 2025
In Stockton’s Little Manila, pageants reinforced the importance of women in the community.
—Sam Vong, The Conversation, 18 Dec. 2025
Supporters also point out that many beauty queens use their platforms to advocate and fundraise for charitable causes; some have used pageants to lift themselves and their families out of poverty.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 29 Nov. 2025
Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 4 Feb. 2026
The beauty queen won five pageants — Miss West Coast, Miss Nuestra Belleza USA, Miss Fresno County, Miss Regional West and Miss California Congeniality.
—Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026
She is also credited as the music supervisor for the NAACP Image Awards and several Miss Universe pageants, most recently in 2023.
—Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 26 Jan. 2026
Their work included filming weddings, dance performances, theatrical productions and local pageants at venues throughout San Diego County.
—Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026
The island-wide celebration includes concerts, parades, cultural activities, and pageants, while numerous fairs celebrate the best in local art and culture.
—Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 4 Jan. 2026
One of the most beloved holiday specials ever made doesn’t start with costumed pageants, joyful carols or snowmen come to life but with a self-aware declaration of seasonal depression.
—Abigail Rosenthal, Mercury News, 24 Dec. 2025
In Stockton’s Little Manila, pageants reinforced the importance of women in the community.
—Sam Vong, The Conversation, 18 Dec. 2025
Supporters also point out that many beauty queens use their platforms to advocate and fundraise for charitable causes; some have used pageants to lift themselves and their families out of poverty.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 29 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pageants
Noun
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Marches or parades that require blocking traffic or street closures, large rallies requiring the use of sound amplifying devices or rallies over a certain size may require permits.—
John Tufts,
IndyStar,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Observed on the third Monday of February each year, the special day is celebrated through patriotic parades, historical reenactments, and readings of major presidential speeches, including Washington’s Farewell Address.—
Tiago Ventura,
Time,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Kids can attend shows at a live theater; learn about space, trains, pop culture and art through exhibits; and show off their athletic skills at the Riley Children's Health Sports Legends Experience.—
Domenica Bongiovanni,
IndyStar,
18 Feb. 2026
-
The Children's Museum is designed for kids up to 10 years old and features immersive exhibits, such as a giant mouth, a three-story wildnerness area and a pretend neighborhood.—
Bebe Hodges,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The public presentations of the last four or five presidents are very, very well documented.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
16 Feb. 2026
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The other grant recipient, Critter Encounters, is a live animal education company that offers up-close animal presentations at schools and private events.—
Julie Gallant,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
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While the Block Museum’s exhibitions look outward, the Museum of Contemporary Photography’s anniversary show looks inward.—
Eva Remijan-Toba,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
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There will also be a series of booth exhibitions presented by cultural, global and educational organizations.—
Cheryl V. Jackson,
IndyStar,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Нe used a triangulation method, identifying distinctive features in Luna 9’s original 1966 ground-level panoramas—two distant hills, specific boulders and an ejecta streak—and matched them with topographic data from the LRO’s laser altimeter.—
Ilya Ferapontov,
Scientific American,
5 Feb. 2026
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The lake views are a major highlight, with jaw-dropping panoramas of Lake Tahoe from the lifts and trails.—
Abby Price,
Travel + Leisure,
19 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
These Olympics are a first major test of the spread-out hosting model for global sports spectacles.—
Sara Germano,
Sportico.com,
16 Feb. 2026
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The Super Bowl halftime show has evolved from being a showcase for local marching bands into one of the biggest spectacles in entertainment.—
Jayna Bardahl,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Every year, these flashy performances — from classic movie-musical extravaganzas to Disney earworms to Bond themes to power ballads — are the highlight of an already ridiculously flashy ceremony.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
31 Jan. 2026
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Before this year's show, see some of the biggest moments from past halftime extravaganzas in the gallery above.—
Jeff Suess,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
16 Jan. 2026
Noun
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At the festival outside San Jose's Eastridge Center, families posed for photos with large golden horse displays, a nod to the Chinese zodiac sign associated with speed, freedom and success.—
Da Lin,
CBS News,
14 Feb. 2026
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Libraries thrive when special events or new displays pop up.—
Jess deCourcy Hinds
February 13,
Literary Hub,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pageants.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pageants. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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