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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

Related 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 show off
Verb
Billboard also has an exclusive behind-the-scenes video of Jung Kook posing for the campaign, showing off his silky dance moves and applauding at the end of a successful shoot. — Alicia Urrea, Billboard, 16 Sep. 2026 After landing a helicopter in front of its Mulberry Street store in New York to announce its second collaboration with The North Face, Aimé Leon Dore is now showing off the goods. — Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 16 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
  • Defensively, Lombard has looked more than capable, displaying a strong arm, good range and smooth actions.
    — Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
  • American flag is seen displayed at the Time Square in New York City, United States.
    — Matt Peterson, CNBC, 15 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
  • Duke Energy crews are working to cut up the tree and replace the pole, officials said.
    — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Later, it was prevented from being cut up to decorate a carnival float.
    — Lauren Frayer, NPR, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of cut up
Verb
  • The rapidly evolving technology has become a source of controversy after a series of hacks in recent months that showed AI agents can conspire to deceive humans.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Her Eras show doc lost its awards last weekend, and the Chiefs play the Broncos tonight, but that didn’t stop people from speculating.
    — Vulture Staff, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of show
Noun
  • Chalfant plays Aunt Sister Donna of Compassionate Trinity, Chickie and Doreen’s paternal aunt, who is mean as spit and tougher than any wise guy on the block.
    — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 10 Sep. 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
  • There’s also the Kingman Railroad Museum, which houses several running model train layouts and exhibits on the past and present of the locomotive.
    — Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Its worldwide significance is exhibited through drawings and textiles, offering visitors an impactful experience.
    — Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 18 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 22 Sep. 2026.

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