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
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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
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Recent Examples of showing off
As a showcase of youth innovation, future artificial intelligence technology took center stage in Rancho Cordova with students showing off their bots.
—
James Taylor, CBS News, 31 Jan. 2026
But Fitzgerald was the team leader in interceptions (six), showing off his ball-hawking abilities.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 31 Jan. 2026
In the cavernous, warehouse-like space, the boys turn into physical exhibitionists, showing off for one another by hoisting heavy chunks of scrap metal and flinging them across the ruin.
—Natalia Winkelman, IndieWire, 24 Jan. 2026
Sydney also posted a photo of her walking through the hallways, showing off her pajamas — which perfectly match her daughter's onesie.
—Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
Bieber’s matching barely-there thong was connected to it through a web of black strings on her stomach, showing off her abs and highlighting a pink bow adornment in the center.
—Lara Walsh, InStyle, 7 Jan. 2026
The couple shared the news Ii a joint Instagram post with a carousel of photos showing off a reel of sonogram photos.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Jan. 2026
Shrewsbury wrote on Instagram showing off the outfit.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2025
James Taylor, CBS News, 31 Jan. 2026
But Fitzgerald was the team leader in interceptions (six), showing off his ball-hawking abilities.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 31 Jan. 2026
In the cavernous, warehouse-like space, the boys turn into physical exhibitionists, showing off for one another by hoisting heavy chunks of scrap metal and flinging them across the ruin.
—Natalia Winkelman, IndieWire, 24 Jan. 2026
Sydney also posted a photo of her walking through the hallways, showing off her pajamas — which perfectly match her daughter's onesie.
—Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
Bieber’s matching barely-there thong was connected to it through a web of black strings on her stomach, showing off her abs and highlighting a pink bow adornment in the center.
—Lara Walsh, InStyle, 7 Jan. 2026
The couple shared the news Ii a joint Instagram post with a carousel of photos showing off a reel of sonogram photos.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Jan. 2026
Shrewsbury wrote on Instagram showing off the outfit.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for showing off
Verb
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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
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Ford is planning on cutting up to 1,000 roles in electric-vehicle production in Germany.—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In Springfield, Missouri, more than 100 students gathered outside Kickapoo High School with anti-ICE signs, some proudly displaying a Mexican flag.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
31 Jan. 2026
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Damian Kevitt spent Saturday afternoon on a 10-mile bike ride with hundreds of other cyclists, a sticker displaying Alex Pretti’s photo stuck to his jersey.—
Alene Tchekmedyian,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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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
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In addition to the speeding charge, Richardson was cited for following and flashing at vehicles too closely as well as making improper lane changes.—
Cristóbal Reyes,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 Jan. 2026
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Gerald McDaniels, driving in the center lane, spotted the Olympian flashing her brights at the car in front of her and announced that Richardson's Aston Martin topped 104 mph on State Road 429 near Stoneybrook Parkway in Winter Garden, Florida.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Among the documents released Friday were emails dated from 2012 to 2013, showing Musk's name but with his email address redacted.—
Lora Kolodny,
CNBC,
31 Jan. 2026
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Multiple videos that emerged of the shooting contradicted that claim, showing the intensive care nurse had only his mobile phone in his hand as officers tackled him to the ground, with one removing a handgun from the back of Pretti’s pants as another officer began firing shots into his back.—
Michael Biesecker,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Likewise, when the young men started acting up, Josephine Holt took a keen interest in her newspaper.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Jan. 2026
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If your trackpad is acting up, keyboard shortcuts can keep you productive without fighting the cursor.—
Ken Colburn,
AZCentral.com,
19 Jan. 2026
Verb
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My disappointment in Vigil came down to the waste of a perfect setup for exhibiting the worldly redemption of art—that is, its power to redeem us from insensitivity and self-satisfaction.—
Julius Taranto,
The Atlantic,
27 Jan. 2026
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More than 125 international brands across lingerie, swim, athleisure and accessories will be exhibiting fall 2026 collections.—
Lisa Lockwood,
Footwear News,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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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 2 Feb. 2026.
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