1
as in cuts 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 displays
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 shows off
His multicourse omakase shows off the chef’s restrained minimalist Edomae style and love of aged fish.
—
Bloomberg, Mercury News, 13 Jan. 2026
Finally, Florida cranberry (Hibiscus sabdariffa) shows off stunning, edible red calyces that remain once flowers have fallen and can be used in a variety of recipes for baked goods, stews, chutneys, or simply for making tea.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 8 Nov. 2025
In the after photo, the actor shows off his muscular physique in shorts and a tank top.
—Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
Next to the arm, an ankle — where Umansky is tagged — shows off a tattoo with four thin black lines.
—Emy Lacroix, People.com, 8 Sep. 2025
This garden shows off its autumnal hues as does the Lower Woodland Garden with its gentian trees.
—Jeanine Barone, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
The vehicle has been completely restored, and really shows off the Verde Acquamarina paint.
—Keenan Thompson, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2025
Bloomberg, Mercury News, 13 Jan. 2026
Finally, Florida cranberry (Hibiscus sabdariffa) shows off stunning, edible red calyces that remain once flowers have fallen and can be used in a variety of recipes for baked goods, stews, chutneys, or simply for making tea.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 8 Nov. 2025
In the after photo, the actor shows off his muscular physique in shorts and a tank top.
—Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
Next to the arm, an ankle — where Umansky is tagged — shows off a tattoo with four thin black lines.
—Emy Lacroix, People.com, 8 Sep. 2025
This garden shows off its autumnal hues as does the Lower Woodland Garden with its gentian trees.
—Jeanine Barone, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
The vehicle has been completely restored, and really shows off the Verde Acquamarina paint.
—Keenan Thompson, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shows off
Verb
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The exhibition displays 12 works by Vasconcelos — including major existing installations and new site-specific pieces — together with 33 creations by Garavani, selected from the archive and curated by Pamela Golbin.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
13 Jan. 2026
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If applied at a retail unit, the postmark displays the name or location of the retail unit and the date on which the mailpiece was accepted at the retail unit.—
Chris Mueller,
Sioux Falls Argus Leader,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Dinosaur exhibits rank among the most popular displays at science museums worldwide, and for good reason.—
Bill Bootz,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Jan. 2026
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Instead of kings and queens cunningly maneuvering their armies against their enemies, there’s only an ox of a man and a bald little boy, neither of whom exhibits a clearly superior intellect.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But if your transmission acts up or your steering system goes haywire, car insurance won't help you.—
Alora Bopray,
USA Today,
5 Dec. 2025
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In the cold and austere German winter (a far cry from Dakar’s physical and cultural warmth), an anxious Nourou acts up outside a hotel and is accosted by a Polish security guard, setting off a minor chain reaction in which Maja intervenes on his behalf, much to his chagrin.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Yet, research shows that most Americans aren’t getting enough of this key nutrient.—
Renée Onque,
CNBC,
16 Jan. 2026
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The steep decline in the number of hotels and rooms under construction shows that developers remain cautious about building new hotels in the Bay Area and throughout California, according to the report.—
George Avalos,
Mercury News,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Less than a minute into the video, as the singer sits by herself in the middle of the desert, the camera suddenly flashes to Blue, who is wearing a dress nearly identical to her mom's gown.—
Zoey Lyttle,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
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Burnett pauses, considers the question, and then flashes a mischievous grin.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The streaming music giant unveils its global list of Artists to Watch 2026, a batch of must-hear, do-see acts across Afrobeats, country, hip-hop, Latin and more.—
Lars Brandle,
Billboard,
14 Jan. 2026
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Reynolds unveils her property tax plan Reynolds unveiled her plan to cut property taxes, which Republicans have labeled their top priority.—
Marissa Payne,
Des Moines Register,
14 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shows off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shows%20off. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
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