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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
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
Outside of pageants and her nursing work, Skylene also was a volleyball coach with the Bayou Sports Club-USA Club volleyball team, per The Parkersburg News and Sentinel.
—Adam England, PEOPLE, 17 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
Whether beauty pageants — events that, almost by definition, objectify women — should have any role in today’s world is a matter of debate.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 29 Nov. 2025
Itsaragrisil’s firm, which also owns and operates other beauty pageants including Miss Grand International, recently acquired shares from former Miss Universe director Anne Jakrajutatip.
—Sarah Moreno, Miami Herald, 4 Nov. 2025
Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 26 Jan. 2026
Outside of pageants and her nursing work, Skylene also was a volleyball coach with the Bayou Sports Club-USA Club volleyball team, per The Parkersburg News and Sentinel.
—Adam England, PEOPLE, 17 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
Whether beauty pageants — events that, almost by definition, objectify women — should have any role in today’s world is a matter of debate.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 29 Nov. 2025
Itsaragrisil’s firm, which also owns and operates other beauty pageants including Miss Grand International, recently acquired shares from former Miss Universe director Anne Jakrajutatip.
—Sarah Moreno, Miami Herald, 4 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pageants
Noun
-
There are hundreds of Krewes—or organizations that stage parades (basically themed social clubs)—in New Orleans.—
Skye Sherman,
Southern Living,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Costa Rica’s Independence Day falls on September 15, and there are a ton of cultural festivities and parades centered around it.—
Samantha Leal,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
CNTraveler highlights how museums are removing artefacts from behind glass screens and curating hands-on, participatory visits where people touch and feel the exhibits.—
Alex Ledsom,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
In its temporary space at Three Wells Fargo, the museum went back to its roots, prioritizing digital exhibits and walking tours, making its exhibits accessible even if a guest didn’t visit the space.—
Desiree Mathurin,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In its investor presentations, Exelon regularly projects massive electric and gas system spending for each of its utilities to meet annual investor earnings growth rates of 5-7%.—
David S. Lapp,
Baltimore Sun,
26 Jan. 2026
-
In one study, 64% of participants made immediate decisions after presentations that included an overview map, while control groups took longer to respond.—
Cheryl Robinson,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Kelley Szany is senior vice president of education and exhibitions at the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center and co-chair of the Illinois Holocaust & Genocide Commission.—
Bernard Cherkasov,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Jan. 2026
-
For her, that meant reassessing what she most valued, and stepping back from the near-constant rotation of museum and gallery exhibitions.—
Tara Anne Dalbow,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
Day trips to Amalfi-style Taormina are well-advised for those who have yet to gawp at its clifftop panoramas across the Mediterranean or its film star hotels, as are jaunts to the rambling flea markets and splendidly scruffy trattorias of nearby Catania.—
Rosalyn Wikeley,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
For several years now, Netflix has been on the hunt for live sporting events and spectacles to beam to its 325 million global subscribers.—
Frederick Dreier,
Outside,
27 Jan. 2026
-
It’s become largely focussed on creating spectacles, such as the No Kings protests, that can mobilize large numbers of people at breakneck speed to march, sign petitions, and contribute money.—
Charles Duhigg,
New Yorker,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
Netflix 'The Life of Chuck' Based on the Stephen King novella, director Mike Flanagan's supremely joyous character study – the best movie of 2025 – involves an apocalypse, multiple dance extravaganzas and a haunted attic.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
DJs, bands, stilt walkers, food trucks and displays for photo ops are part of the event.—
Kari Barnett,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Contrary to popular belief, reality television actually boasts some quality storytelling, offering endless entertainment to viewers who are interested in human nature, seeking escapism, or marveling at impressive displays of talent.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pageants.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pageants. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
