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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of showiness
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
Still, that showiness in dialogue is latched to a shallowness of characterization.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 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
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
Still, that showiness in dialogue is latched to a shallowness of characterization.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 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 mansion, often considered a monument to Roaring ‘20s ostentation, stretches from the Intracoastal to the Atlantic Ocean.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
22 Feb. 2026
-
The characteristics of this aesthetic begin with simple colors that evoke understated elegance—not ostentation.—
Kristine Gill,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Not so much for your music as your…not flamboyance, but exuberance, maybe, or whimsy—qualities in vanishingly short supply with our current crop of male pop stars who don’t make backflips a fixture of their live performances.—
Walden Green,
Pitchfork,
6 Mar. 2026
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Thousands of artists, collectors, curators and gallerists descend on the city, swelling an already vibrant local scene with a global reach into a week of discovery, creative adventure and fashion flamboyance.—
Arts Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Pale, dusty hues enhance natural light, offering a subtle counterpoint to the rich ornamentation, while ceiling paintings by Vicke Andrén, celebrated for his work at the Royal Swedish Opera, underscore the apartment’s artistic importance.—
Mark David,
Robb Report,
23 Mar. 2026
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One of the White House’s most compelling features has always been its domestic scale and ornamentation.—
Edward Keegan,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Rather than treating military power as spectacle, this category focuses on function.—
Interesting Engineering,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Mar. 2026
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The comments section became its own spectacle.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Francis’ choice was in keeping with his simple taste and disdain for the pomp of the papacy.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Mar. 2026
-
There are times when Neves goes about games with the quiet dominance of N’Golo Kante during his Chelsea pomp.—
The Athletic Staff,
New York Times,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Shoppers can also find mini refrigerators and even Christmas decorations.—
Madeleine Wright,
CBS News,
26 Mar. 2026
-
If fragrance wants to retain both cultural and commercial strength in the decades ahead, legacy must be treated not as decoration, but as infrastructure.—
Sudhir Gupta,
Rolling Stone,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Akers nails 1970s New York’s glitz and grime as Bernie interviews an assortment of renowned chefs, fellow critics, criminals as well as Tirel’s business associates and son, Henri, who also happens to be an old flame.—
Paula L. Woods,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Mar. 2026
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Because an outfit is never complete without a bit of glitz, Alba added a smattering of diamond rings from Chopard, as well as matching diamond drop earrings.—
Christina Perrier,
InStyle,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The entertainment rooms can serve as places to enjoy cocktails and billiards (both villas feature Steinway & Sons grand pianos), the dining rooms feel cinematic without being too formal, and the bedroom suites favor comfort rather than flashiness.—
David Morris,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Jan. 2026
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Leopard, cheetah, and even zebra recall an era shaped by the flashiness of Christina Aguilera and Paris Hilton.—
Malia Griggs,
Glamour,
20 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Showiness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/showiness. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
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