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 atmosphere aligns with the philosophy: no ostentation, no grand production.—
Bill Addison,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
-
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
Noun
-
His flamboyance never tips into caricature, and along with wit and warmth there is real pain.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
16 Apr. 2026
-
For attorneys in an overcrowded marketplace, in a city with casual ethics and a weakness for flamboyance, an outlandish sales pitch can be the best way to break through.—
Patrick Radden Keefe,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
It is surrounded by appliqué ornamentation reflecting the decorative arts of each culture and an ornate frieze around the periphery.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Yet its sleek, monochromatic design serves as a quiet counterpoint to the temple’s rich ornamentation.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The performance in German and English is on all levels the kind of theatrical spectacle that makes Broadway seem like a dying street in Nowheresville.—
Classical Music Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
11 May 2026
-
By pairing Eilish with Cameron in all the marketing, the hope was maybe that the film would appeal not just to concert fans but to more casual film fans who know Cameron can deliver a spectacle.—
Brian Welk,
IndieWire,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
The traditional pomp and pageantry associated with the state opening of Parliament was overshadowed by the political intrigue, specifically the mounting speculation that Health Secretary Wes Streeting was planning to quit Starmer’s government and launch a leadership bid as soon as Thursday.—
Pan Pylas,
Fortune,
13 May 2026
-
Starmer appears to have seen off any immediate leadership challenge for now, and will hope that today’s pomp, pageantry and policy agenda can shift attention away from the current crisis.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
Plus, the flower decoration adds a fun feminine flare.—
Aashna Gheewalla,
PEOPLE,
7 May 2026
-
Like all good practitioners of this ancient form of body decoration, the artist who inked me gave me a specific list of instructions to take care of my skin in the days and weeks that followed.—
Justin Fenner,
Robb Report,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
The immediate impact is one of glitz and daring.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 May 2026
-
One of our favorite celeb couples, Ciara and Russell Wilson, brought glitz and polished glamour to the room, and as always, the NFL player was a gentleman, kissing her hand and making room for his queen to shine.—
Elizabeth Ayoola,
Essence,
5 May 2026
Noun
-
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
-
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 15 May. 2026.
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