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
as in hotshot
informal + disapproving
a person who tries to impress other people with his or her abilities or possessions
Related Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of show off
Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
To celebrate the launch, Bieber shared a spicy BTS shot showing off a matching soap manicure.
—Grace McCarty, Glamour, 9 Jan. 2026
Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 11 May 2025
Otherwise, this is a visually stunning chassis that will satisfy patient-building component show-offs.
—PCMAG, 1 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for show off
Verb
Fans are showing off their Bears merchandise online, including the new NFC North champions shirt.
—Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
To celebrate the launch, Bieber shared a spicy BTS shot showing off a matching soap manicure.
—Grace McCarty, Glamour, 9 Jan. 2026
Noun
In This Article Take It Easy With Greens Pick a Combo With Staying Power
Rely On Dependable Winners
The Three Rules of Container TLC
These summer show-off container gardens will brighten up any porch or patio all season long—even in the Southern heat.
—Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 11 May 2025
Otherwise, this is a visually stunning chassis that will satisfy patient-building component show-offs.
—PCMAG, 1 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for show off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for show off
Verb
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At this point in time, my little AI company, a lean and mean group of passionate believers, is horsing around fine-tuning the product, living on a couple of angel investments, where a 10X return on few million dollars is very satisfying, not only to the angel, but also to the employees.—
Neil Senturia,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Oct. 2025
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Running or horsing around with sparklers can also cause injuries and burns when users trip and fall.—
Justin Laube,
EverydayHealth.com,
2 July 2025
Verb
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With sturdy construction, ample shelf space, and glass doors, china cabinets are excellent for storing and displaying delicate china sets, trinkets, decorative plates, heirloom decor, and more.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
7 Jan. 2026
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And yet, both within and outside the store, the American flag is prominently displayed.—
Liz Rothaus Bertrand,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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There's macho panache and white-knuckle action sequences aplenty as Pitt's eccentric Formula 1 veteran plays reluctant mentor to a hotshot rookie (Damson Idris).—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
23 Dec. 2025
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Among the stars of that title-winning side was Wilkes, the hotshot rookie who drew the ridicule of his peers during a summer league camp at San Jose City College in 1974.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
21 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
ConocoPhillips announced plans to cut up to 25% of its global staff.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Time,
5 Jan. 2026
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Meanwhile, as all of this is happening, Meredith is cutting up with the other ladies at the spa, without a care in the world.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
31 Dec. 2025
Verb
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To compound the surreal mood, Petro’s office issued a meme that showed a bald eagle snuggling up to a jaguar.—
Jon Lee Anderson,
New Yorker,
15 Jan. 2026
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These stories show how contemporary Greeks came to understand and embed Phoenicians, their culture and practices into their mythology.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Broncos Country believes in this team, but the wise guys do not.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
8 Dec. 2025
-
Your corner defined you — wise guys as well as cops.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
6 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Gisin hopes that by fooling around with measurements of these more exotic states, physicists will come to better understand the role of measurement in general.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
8 Aug. 2025
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Those have come from two players: Adrian Morejon of the San Diego Padres, who throws an odd knuckleball-changeup hybrid about 1 percent of the time, and Jonah Bride of the Minnesota Twins, an infielder fooling around with the knuckler in blowouts.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
19 June 2025
Verb
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The company is exhibiting at Eureka Park under the Hyundai Motor Group ZERO1NE Pavilion.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Jan. 2026
-
These are all traits that some autistic people exhibit.—
Sarah Kurchak,
Time,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Show off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/show%20off. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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