as in ostentation
excessive or unnecessary display
we were somewhat put off by the saber-rattling showiness of the military parade
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in noticeable
likely to attract attention
orchid plants are known for their huge showy flowers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of 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
Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 13 Mar. 2026
These blooms are an African native called stinknet — an unflattering name for a showy flower — that have taken over Maricopa County and is knocking on the doors of others, such as Pima.
—Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for showiness
Noun
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
Adjective
These charming cool-season flowers are known for their showy, delicate, papery blooms and exceptional vase life.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 13 Mar. 2026
These blooms are an African native called stinknet — an unflattering name for a showy flower — that have taken over Maricopa County and is knocking on the doors of others, such as Pima.
—Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for showiness
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
Adjective
-
Nigel Hughes, who tracks housing markets across the country, says there has already been a noticeable shift.—
Brad Hamilton,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
-
But political observers say many Georgia taxpayers could see a noticeable reduction in taxes in the years ahead.—
David Wickert,
AJC.com,
7 Apr. 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
-
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
Adjective
-
Take, for example, Wiseman's words on one of Orientale's prominent features.—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
7 Apr. 2026
-
George Welsh’s father, James, was a prominent and wealthy real estate magnate in Kansas City.—
Patrick Salland,
Kansas City Star,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The receptionist works behind a period cabinet converted into the sort of desk Philip Marlowe would happily put his feet on and Art Deco ornamentations abound, from the beautiful clocks, to the slightly sinister candlesticks.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
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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
Adjective
-
Raman had a commanding lead in a field of five major candidates, with 33% of voters supporting her, while Bass trailed at 17%, according to the poll by the Loyola Marymount University Center for the Study of Los Angeles.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Mar. 2026
-
At 132 feet, the 40P is larger and more commanding, offering additional space and slightly flashier features.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The whole thing was a striking visual spectacle, too — waves of musicians rising from both sides, backup singers swaying and clapping, spotlights sweeping across the floor as a roaming camera zipped through the crowd like a drone that had just discovered country music.—
Theoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Apr. 2026
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Indeed, Coachella’s other two headliners, Bad Bunny and Blackpink, put on elaborate main-stage spectacles over the weekend that by most accounts left fans feeling both stimulated and satisfied.—
Vanessa Franko,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The change in temperatures will be dramatic after a record-setting 84 degrees on Wednesday in the Philadelphia region.—
Bill Kelly,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
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Yet key dramatic moments—a shooting, the robbers’ realization that the bank vault is empty—occurred in a hallway invisible to the audience, described secondhand.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Showiness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/showiness. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
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