1
as in cutting up
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
Relevance
2
as in displaying
to present so as to invite notice or attention
she just wants to show off her new jewelry
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 showing off
Pepper, just one week old at the time, was still developing her software and learning to control her movements, but that did not stop her from showing off some dance moves.
—
Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 20 Feb. 2026
Beyoncé sent the internet in a frenzy after showing off her long natural hair and her own wash day routine using Cécred hair products.
—Caché McClay, USA Today, 20 Feb. 2026
The 10,224-square-foot Charlotte location overlooks the core of the city’s biggest business district, with a 2,000-square-foot terrace showing off those stunning views.
—Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 20 Feb. 2026
Our sunsets look like the sky is showing off every single evening.
—Becky Bartkowski, AZCentral.com, 14 Feb. 2026
The males dance, showing off their vivid abdomen, and vibrate along to a beat in a bid to impress their mate.
—K. R. Callaway, Scientific American, 13 Feb. 2026
From front-row celebrities and models to media personalities and journalists, the fashion-obsessed are proudly showing off their outfits.
—Victoria Montalti, Refinery29, 13 Feb. 2026
But this week GloRilla will be showing off her basketball skills.
—Bob Mehr, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 12 Feb. 2026
Bad Bunny is just one celeb showing off incredible pieces by the Parisian jeweler, including a coveted platinum Crash that can cost upward of $600,000 on the secondary market.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 7 Feb. 2026
Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 20 Feb. 2026
Beyoncé sent the internet in a frenzy after showing off her long natural hair and her own wash day routine using Cécred hair products.
—Caché McClay, USA Today, 20 Feb. 2026
The 10,224-square-foot Charlotte location overlooks the core of the city’s biggest business district, with a 2,000-square-foot terrace showing off those stunning views.
—Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 20 Feb. 2026
Our sunsets look like the sky is showing off every single evening.
—Becky Bartkowski, AZCentral.com, 14 Feb. 2026
The males dance, showing off their vivid abdomen, and vibrate along to a beat in a bid to impress their mate.
—K. R. Callaway, Scientific American, 13 Feb. 2026
From front-row celebrities and models to media personalities and journalists, the fashion-obsessed are proudly showing off their outfits.
—Victoria Montalti, Refinery29, 13 Feb. 2026
But this week GloRilla will be showing off her basketball skills.
—Bob Mehr, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 12 Feb. 2026
Bad Bunny is just one celeb showing off incredible pieces by the Parisian jeweler, including a coveted platinum Crash that can cost upward of $600,000 on the secondary market.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 7 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for showing off
Verb
-
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
-
Ford is planning on cutting up to 1,000 roles in electric-vehicle production in Germany.—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Avoid a tourist trap by choosing one displaying the official sticker of a Guignol marionette.—
John Brunton,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Feb. 2026
-
From the arched shelves displaying thread, canvases and pins inside the small shop to the paint on the walls and exterior of the business, nothing has been accomplished alone.—
Jenna Ebbers,
Kansas City Star,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In April 2020, Iglesias shared a video of him horsing around with Lucy and Nicholas as the pair attempted to climb on his back for a ride.—
Andrea Wurzburger,
PEOPLE,
19 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Mobility-accessible rooms come with roll-in showers, flashing door knockers, and hearing kits, among other thoughtful amenities.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Be especially cautious in school zones and watch for children and the flashing lights of school buses.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
During a singing performance, its facial expressions appeared strikingly lifelike, showing how expressive robotics continues to evolve.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Meanwhile, this may be showing kids that mental and emotional health are no less important than physical health.—
Sarah Cottrell,
Parents,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Likewise, when the young men started acting up, Josephine Holt took a keen interest in her newspaper.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Jan. 2026
-
If your trackpad is acting up, keyboard shortcuts can keep you productive without fighting the cursor.—
Ken Colburn,
AZCentral.com,
19 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
According to Burbank Police Department arrest records, the actress came to the station in the early hours of Friday exhibiting clear signs of alcohol intoxication.—
Vivian Kwarm,
New York Daily News,
17 Feb. 2026
-
The model was critiqued by the judging panel for not exhibiting much emotion in her photos.—
Malia Mendez,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The transition was rough for Ansari, who wasn’t fluent in English and often got in trouble for fooling around in school.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Showing off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/showing%20off. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
