show off 1 of 2

verb

Definition of show offnext
1
as in to horse around
to engage in attention-getting playful or boisterous behavior the athletes warmed up, happily showing off for the crowd before the match officially started

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in to display
to present so as to invite notice or attention she just wants to show off her new jewelry

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

show-off

2 of 2

noun

as in hotshot
informal + disapproving a person who tries to impress other people with his or her abilities or possessions

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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 show off
Verb
Gigi Hadid and Travis Kelce showed off their sweet bond in a behind-the-scenes video for their Tommy Hilfiger campaign. — Juliana Ukiomogbe, InStyle, 4 Sep. 2026 Demi Moore also showed off the new style at the Gucci fall 2026 show in Milan in February. — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2026
Noun
But there’s value to the subtle, occasional mention of an appropriate insider name, a gesture that’s more like a secret handshake than the work of an oafish show-off. — Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 25 Nov. 2025 Luxury can sometimes be interpreted as someone, who is a show-off. — Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 17 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for show off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for show off
  1. horse around
  2. display
  3. hotshot
  4. cut up
  5. show
  6. wise guy
  7. fool around
  8. exhibit
Verb
  • Also, don’t get too out of control horsing around with friends in the water.
    — John Natale, Hartford Courant, 16 Aug. 2026
  • According to McGrady, the only royal who didn’t enjoy the time away in the Highlands was the late Princess Diana, who didn’t fit in with the family’s outdoorsy vibes and didn’t enjoy riding horses around the property due to a fall as a child.
    — Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of horse around
Verb
  • At home, the Tigers have a setup in their cage, displaying moves from starters and relievers on a screen, allowing players to practice reads and jumps.
    — Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The term seems to imply a mastery of all the resources of a form, displayed in a surprising context without self-conscious artfulness.
    — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of display
Noun
  • Next, ground crews, including the Navajo hotshots, will start hand and aerial ignitions, the department said.
    — Joan Meiners, AZCentral.com, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Fans who gush over the next big thing too often forget that many young hotshots turn out to be something less.
    — Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of hotshot
Verb
  • Later, it was prevented from being cut up to decorate a carnival float.
    — Lauren Frayer, NPR, 9 Sep. 2026
  • One reason being that the videographer kept cutting up [a slab of] meat for the castle owner.
    — Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of cut up
Verb
  • The data set shows the Hong Kong chief executive is the second-highest earner ​globally with $719,000 annually, followed by the Swiss president at $606,000.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 9 Sep. 2026
  • As polls show the public increasingly favoring guardrails for AI safety — and opposing data center buildouts — the White House is likely to face still more calls for an explanation of why a more transparent framework is not possible.
    — Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of show
Noun
  • The show follows Chickie (Pompeo) and Doreen, two estranged half-sisters who are both struggling to get by when their wise guy dad unexpectedly kicks the bucket.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 15 July 2026
  • Here’s a look at what each team in the NFC North has done in free agency, and how the wise guys in Las Vegas currently rank the division.
    — Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2026
Definition of wise guy
Verb
  • As Marshall and Alice consider one another and then start to fool around, the sequence feels organic and dangerous without being forced.
    — Erin Qualey, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Another horny couple on vacation couldn’t wait until their flight landed to fool around and insisted on doing so in the plane's cabin.
    — Sean Joseph OutKick, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Definition of fool around
Verb
  • Lévêque was once a prominent figure of the French and European art scene, known for his neon sculptures, which have been exhibited in major global institutions, including the Louvre and the Elysée Palace—the residence of French presidents.
    — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Research shows AIs exhibit tendencies to seek power, acquire resources and avoid being shut down.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of exhibit

Browse Nearby Words

shown up (for)
show off
show-off
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Cite this Entry

“Show off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/show%20off. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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