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
Another social media post on the day of the opening showed a large crowd waiting out front, and customers showing off their purchases.
—
Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 30 Apr. 2026
The high school senior went to her second prom of the season, showing off her floral-print fit-and-flare Dolce & Gabbana dress on Instagram.
—Lindy Segal, PEOPLE, 25 Apr. 2026
The fandom has been showing off their outfit prep on social media in anticipation of his set.
—Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 11 Apr. 2026
Social media lit up on Wednesday when users noticed an Instagram reel posted by the Minnesota balloon company showing off its collaboration with the WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx.
—Jackie Powell, NBC news, 10 Apr. 2026
Dolly Parton is showing off her latest Good American collection.
—Juliana Ukiomogbe, InStyle, 3 Apr. 2026
In the years since Boogie Nights, Leo has made an unlikely hit out of The Man in the Iron Mask, then took the role of Patrick Bateman in American Psycho, showing off his range and turning that surreal and often horrifying movie into another $100 million feather in his cap.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2026
This Friday the 13th, showing off your tats can get you some free lunch.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 13 Mar. 2026
On March 2—one day before debuting her new pageboy bob at Paris Fashion Week—Hadid made her grand entrance in a pair of straight-leg jeans that stop well above the ankle, showing off much of her beige crew sock and the entire tongue of her black loafers.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 7 Mar. 2026
Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 30 Apr. 2026
The high school senior went to her second prom of the season, showing off her floral-print fit-and-flare Dolce & Gabbana dress on Instagram.
—Lindy Segal, PEOPLE, 25 Apr. 2026
The fandom has been showing off their outfit prep on social media in anticipation of his set.
—Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 11 Apr. 2026
Social media lit up on Wednesday when users noticed an Instagram reel posted by the Minnesota balloon company showing off its collaboration with the WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx.
—Jackie Powell, NBC news, 10 Apr. 2026
Dolly Parton is showing off her latest Good American collection.
—Juliana Ukiomogbe, InStyle, 3 Apr. 2026
In the years since Boogie Nights, Leo has made an unlikely hit out of The Man in the Iron Mask, then took the role of Patrick Bateman in American Psycho, showing off his range and turning that surreal and often horrifying movie into another $100 million feather in his cap.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2026
This Friday the 13th, showing off your tats can get you some free lunch.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 13 Mar. 2026
On March 2—one day before debuting her new pageboy bob at Paris Fashion Week—Hadid made her grand entrance in a pair of straight-leg jeans that stop well above the ankle, showing off much of her beige crew sock and the entire tongue of her black loafers.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 7 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for showing off
Verb
-
Scalping the lawn can assist doveweed's spread by cutting up pieces that root all over the lawn.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
11 Apr. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
Avoid displaying valuable items, including jewelry, in public.—
Julie Sharp,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
-
Banksy has been famous for displaying or erecting artwork in public spaces.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Bevel was horsing around with the Reverend James Orange and Andy Young in the courtyard under King's balcony, according to Orange.—
Gail Sheehy,
Vanity Fair,
20 Feb. 2026
-
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
-
Like Cernan on Apollo 17, Aldrin also described seeing flashing lights while trying to sleep.—
Stephen Smith,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
-
Be especially cautious in school zones and watch for children and the flashing lights of school buses.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
In October 2025, a report was released by Blue Water Baltimore and Waterfront Partnership, showing that some areas in the harbor were improving and other areas were headed in the wrong direction.—
Adam Thompson,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
-
The documents include more than 20 video files showing unidentified objects captured by military sensors in locations from Syria and Japan to North America.—
Seung Min Kim,
Chicago Tribune,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Baye continued acting up until 2023.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
PEOPLE,
18 Apr. 2026
-
The capsule’s toilet is already acting up.—
Marcia Dunn,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Officials said none is exhibiting signs of the illness.—
Jen Christensen,
CNN Money,
8 May 2026
-
He has been admitted to a hospital in Zurich after exhibiting symptoms, according to WHO and Swiss public health officials.—
Nathan Diller,
USA Today,
7 May 2026
Verb
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Zeus did not approve of his daughter fooling around with this mortal roughneck hunter and put out a hit on Orion.—
Mike Lynch,
Twin Cities,
8 Mar. 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Showing off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/showing%20off. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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