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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pageants
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
In many ways, Miss Universe and other pageants were our original reality TV.
—Laura Trujillo, USA Today, 29 Nov. 2025
Often sitting at the intersection of politics and national pride, pageants have proven to be magnets for scandal.
—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
Unlike other pageants like Miss America, the Miss Universe competition does not have a talent portion in its lineup.
—Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
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
In many ways, Miss Universe and other pageants were our original reality TV.
—Laura Trujillo, USA Today, 29 Nov. 2025
Often sitting at the intersection of politics and national pride, pageants have proven to be magnets for scandal.
—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
Unlike other pageants like Miss America, the Miss Universe competition does not have a talent portion in its lineup.
—Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pageants
Noun
-
In several countries, parades, processions, or community events are also organized.—
Nadia Cantú,
AZCentral.com,
6 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
Noun
-
There will be tremendous opportunities for students to create exhibits, develop programming and operate a museum.—
Dorothy Jenkins Fields,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Screenings of silent films, hosted by the Hollywood Heritage’s Silent Society and often accompanied by live music, play here amid a changing palette of special exhibits, curated from the museum’s collection and the contributions of private collectors.—
Culture Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Immersive multimedia displays and live presentations by experts will have your family observing the skies in a whole new way.—
Josh Roberts,
USA Today,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The White House expects to make its final presentations to the Commission of Fine Arts in February, and to the National Capitol Planning Commission in March, and will submit its final plan for the project by the end of January, a White House official told ABC News.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
After noticing that many open exhibitions in the area seemed focused more broadly on Southern California, the museum’s leadership saw an opportunity to hone in on Orange County artists exclusively.—
Mona Darwish,
Oc Register,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Though moving the museum’s permanent collection could reduce operating costs from about €8 million to €5 million, M HKA would then have pay to borrow works or buy in exhibitions to attract visitors.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
Drive the ten-mile Ocean Drive loop, a scenic coastal route lined with rocky coves, Atlantic panoramas, and some of Newport’s most impressive historic estates.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
After all, the films that benefit the most from PLF ticket sales have been Hollywood's biggest releases, as audiences want to see explosive action movies and dazzling spectacles in the most state-of-the-art locations.—
Sarah Whitten,
CNBC,
9 Jan. 2026
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Political events and news programming ran off with 16 of the top spots in 2024, but in the absence of a collar-grabbing quadrennial circus, only three Beltway spectacles carved out space on this year’s chart.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The venue is suited for musical performances from string quartets and small orchestras to vocal extravaganzas.—
News Release,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Nov. 2025
-
His Christmas Eve shows were extravaganzas that involved holiday tunes and sound clips.—
Tom Tapp,
Deadline,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Tuckman also said Team Bahamas’ festive costumes and dancing displays were memorable.—
Walter Villa,
Miami Herald,
9 Nov. 2025
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Scott Ford, who was walking in Ault’s group, said that the new lighting system can be used yearround and programmed for seasonal and holiday displays.—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pageants.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pageants. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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