SHOWINESS Synonyms: 58 Similar and Opposite Words

showiness

noun

Definition of showiness

as in ostentation

excessive or unnecessary display we were somewhat put off by the saber-rattling showiness of the military parade

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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 showiness My feelings about Dudamel as an interpreter have ranged from irritation at his turn-it-up-to-11 showiness to admiration for his ability to make listeners hear music afresh. — Justin Davidson, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026 Rose is another extraordinary showcase for her gifts and a master class in the art of acting with rigor, honesty, physicality and zero showiness. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 15 Feb. 2026 Garcia’s finest new dishes underscore his talent for complexity that bypasses showiness. — Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2026 There’s also a kind of garish showiness that the Academy isn’t immune to. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 22 Jan. 2026 These choices reflect a desire for comfort and authenticity rather than showiness. — Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 2 Jan. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for showiness

Noun

The interiors are relatively forgettable, but in a town marked by ostentation, the crowd counts for more than the surroundings.

— Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026
The packaging and philosophy emphasize sustainability and collectibility without ostentation, aligning with a growing desire for thoughtful luxury.

— Tanya Akim, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026

Definition of ostentation

Noun

Wilde cultivated an unmistakable appearance through his clothing, aestheticism, and flamboyance.

— William Arruda, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
The performance is daringly weird, perverse and outlandish, seductively charming, and, for all the flamboyance, Curry never veers out of control, never takes it too far.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of flamboyance

Noun

Freedom, mobility; who gets to be an artist; style, ornamentation, artifice; work, leisure; the counterculture; the denigration of femininity; West Coast oddballism.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026
The rhinestone ornamentation doubled as a girly and whimsical photo-op.

— Sarah Glodek, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of ornamentation

Noun

At best, these robot spectacles are funny or wildly optimistic about technology.

— Shane O’Neill, Washington Post, 25 Sep. 2026
The meeting had the potential to become a global spectacle, featuring two powerful and glamorous women from the world's two biggest economies.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of spectacle

Noun

But for all the pomp and ceremony, China analysts broadly predict the leaders’ personal relationship and policy goals will result in a cautious summit that yields few major deliverables.

— Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2026
The salutation will kick off a three-day visit that's expected to be saturated with pomp, even by White House standards.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of pomp

Noun

Most of the reduction in tariffs is aimed at non-sensitive goods, such as agricultural products or holiday decorations.

— ABC News, ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026
And while there are plenty of overtly Halloween pieces, the best finds don’t feel like novelty decorations.

— Camila Quimper, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of decoration

Noun

The shoreline of Greece’s capital is becoming a major luxury destination, offering the glitz and glamor of its more famous Gallic counterpart but with far fewer crowds.

— Tori Latham, Robb Report, 16 Sep. 2026
Mackie said his career grew out of a lifelong obsession with the glitz and glamour of show business.

— Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of glitz

Noun

Originally opened in 1979 and rebranded as the Cromwell in 2014, this hot spot provided the privacy and space needed to isolate cast and crew from the public while still delivering all the flashiness and drama expected from the show.

— Allison DeGrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 2 June 2026
Like many early 2000s trends now making a comeback (think wedge sandals and low-rise pants), the halter top has shed much of the overt flashiness that once defined it.

— Lauren Fisher, Footwear News, 30 May 2026

Definition of flashiness

Browse Nearby Words

showery

showiness

showing

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“Showiness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/showiness. Accessed 30 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of showiness

noun

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