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
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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
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Recent Examples of pageants
Hudson previously won a Division 4 NCA Collegiate Championship with Bridgewater State in 2021, and in recent years she's also competed in Miss Maine USA pageants, placing second at the 2024 event and coming in third place in 2025.
—
Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 2026
Flores Gómez previously competed in beauty pageants and was crowned Miss Teen Universe Baja California in 2017.
—Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2026
These 34 comedies streaming across the internet satirize global issues like nuclear war, cultural trends like beauty pageants, and leave no stone unturned in their quest to make life's toughest stuff more emotionally palatable.
—Debby Wolfinsohn, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Apr. 2026
Loren got her start in beauty pageants as a young girl before turning to acting in the 1950s.
—Juliana Ukiomogbe, Architectural Digest, 3 Apr. 2026
Meanwhile, closer to home, at the Glock Horse Performance Center in Austria, Kathrin put together a series of lavish Horses & Stars pageants.
—Simon Akam, Vanity Fair, 2 Apr. 2026
Armando Labrador writes songs, holds beauty pageants and leads a group of dissidents who stage protests in Havana.
—Michael Smith, Bloomberg, 25 Mar. 2026
Sewing my costumes, making my evening gowns for pageants.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 26 Feb. 2026
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
Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 2026
Flores Gómez previously competed in beauty pageants and was crowned Miss Teen Universe Baja California in 2017.
—Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2026
These 34 comedies streaming across the internet satirize global issues like nuclear war, cultural trends like beauty pageants, and leave no stone unturned in their quest to make life's toughest stuff more emotionally palatable.
—Debby Wolfinsohn, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Apr. 2026
Loren got her start in beauty pageants as a young girl before turning to acting in the 1950s.
—Juliana Ukiomogbe, Architectural Digest, 3 Apr. 2026
Meanwhile, closer to home, at the Glock Horse Performance Center in Austria, Kathrin put together a series of lavish Horses & Stars pageants.
—Simon Akam, Vanity Fair, 2 Apr. 2026
Armando Labrador writes songs, holds beauty pageants and leads a group of dissidents who stage protests in Havana.
—Michael Smith, Bloomberg, 25 Mar. 2026
Sewing my costumes, making my evening gowns for pageants.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 26 Feb. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pageants
Noun
-
Smaller parades are held elsewhere across the country, but this time many of them have also been pared down or even canceled altogether for security reasons.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 May 2026
-
Yet this year the May 9 celebration – usually replete with extensive parades across the country and a demonstration of military hardware in Moscow – is expected to be significantly pared down.—
Lena Surzhko Harned,
The Conversation,
7 May 2026
Noun
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The center's museum will include four floors of immersive and interactive exhibits that explore the work and legacies of Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama.—
Hannah Hudnall,
USA Today,
6 May 2026
-
Colbert and Obama spoke for a while about current events and politics — including about the powers the office of the presidency should and should not have — followed by a walking tour of exhibits in the museum.—
Doug George,
Chicago Tribune,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
Paramount Skydance wrapped up its series of intimate presentations with agencies and marketers in recent weeks.—
Lillian Rizzo,
CNBC,
11 May 2026
-
Eventually, some used it to prepare for conversations, presentations, or decisions.—
Jonathan Avery,
STAT,
11 May 2026
Noun
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General admission is free, though some special exhibitions require tickets.—
Taylor Haught,
Kansas City Star,
28 Apr. 2026
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After an inaugural edition last year, the AIR festival will return to Aspen, Colorado, in July with a program of performances, exhibitions, talks, and other events in the high-flying mountain town.—
Andy Battaglia,
ARTnews.com,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
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As the missions continue — with Curiosity climbing higher along Mount Sharp and Perseverance scouting new terrain along Jezero's rim — more high-resolution panoramas are expected.—
Samantha Mathewson,
Space.com,
1 May 2026
-
To showcase the distinct regions each rover is exploring, NASA recently shared dueling panoramas composed from hundreds of photos taken between the end of 2025 and the beginning of 2026.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The verdict Elizabeth Creamery isn’t about over-the-top creations or Instagram spectacles.—
Tristan Graziano,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Salopettes and ski helmets make frequent appearances, along with couples in thick, round spectacles who might be architects—and nearby resident Norman Foster, who most certainly is.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Production’s involvement in paying for cast extravaganzas is something Monique brought up in a confessional interview during season 10.—
McKinley Franklin,
HollywoodReporter,
1 Mar. 2026
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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
Noun
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The dimensions of La Pausa suggested a smaller scale of events than the now-customary splashy destination displays of other brands, and Grangié has turned this into a stance.—
Lily Templeton,
Footwear News,
10 May 2026
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Perusing the displays, Cancela picked out a 14K gold, guardian-angel charm as well as an azabache, a black stone Cubans wear to ward off the evil eye.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pageants.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pageants. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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