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
Here’s another impressive save from that same game, in which Bobrovsky shows off all of these details.
—
Jesse Granger, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
This photo shows off the staggering scale of SLS, the VAB, and the crawler-transporter vehicle that hauls the rocket to and from the launch pad.
—Brett Tingley, Space.com, 27 Feb. 2026
Nine graduate students in the art school have moved their thesis shows off-campus to express solidarity with Quiñonez.
—Uwa Ede-Osifo, Dallas Morning News, 27 Feb. 2026
The black dial shows off Roman numerals on the top half and Arabic numerals on the bottom, a distinct look designed to be legible even in dark conditions thanks to that contrast.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 20 Feb. 2026
Meanwhile, Lilypad shows off some transcription and translation skills when Jessie (Joan Cusack) tries to chat with her.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 19 Feb. 2026
After boarding, the Full House star shows off his best straight face.
—Marina Watts, PEOPLE, 30 Jan. 2026
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
Jesse Granger, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
This photo shows off the staggering scale of SLS, the VAB, and the crawler-transporter vehicle that hauls the rocket to and from the launch pad.
—Brett Tingley, Space.com, 27 Feb. 2026
Nine graduate students in the art school have moved their thesis shows off-campus to express solidarity with Quiñonez.
—Uwa Ede-Osifo, Dallas Morning News, 27 Feb. 2026
The black dial shows off Roman numerals on the top half and Arabic numerals on the bottom, a distinct look designed to be legible even in dark conditions thanks to that contrast.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 20 Feb. 2026
Meanwhile, Lilypad shows off some transcription and translation skills when Jessie (Joan Cusack) tries to chat with her.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 19 Feb. 2026
After boarding, the Full House star shows off his best straight face.
—Marina Watts, PEOPLE, 30 Jan. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shows off
Verb
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How to Prune Viburnum Use sharp hand pruners for smaller cuts up to the diameter of a pencil, and loppers or a pruning saw for larger cuts.—
Luke Miller,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Feb. 2026
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Options laid out in an Interior Department study of new operating rules absent a seven-state solution envision Lower Basin cuts up to twice what the Southwestern states have suggested.—
Brandon Loomis,
AZCentral.com,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The list displays all public schools in alphabetical order, followed by private schools and then colleges and universities.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
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Attractive green foliage sets off other plants in summer, and in fall, the plant displays a lovely yellow-gold color.—
Lynn McAlpine,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Chai tea exhibits many of the benefits of black tea, but with the potential health effects of spices such as cardamom and ginger.—
Amy Brownstein,
Verywell Health,
4 Mar. 2026
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The moon typically exhibits a grey color because light that reaches the lunar surface is often filtered through Earth's atmosphere.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Koutouvides transitioned to life after football, found success in real estate development throughout Connecticut, but the pain of losing the Super Bowl twinges and acts up like an old joint injury.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
8 Feb. 2026
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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
Verb
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Also in this episode, The Run-Through gets a behind-the-scenes look at the Rick Owens and Saint Laurent shows in Paris.—
Alex Jhamb Burns,
Vogue,
6 Mar. 2026
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But a new modeling study shows mini-lightning can be created and studied inside a small block of plastic.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Durbin flashes leather If Thursday was any indication, the Red Sox will be in good hands if Alex Cora decides to roll with Caleb Durbin as the club’s starting second baseman.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
26 Feb. 2026
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Your Roomba emits a chime and flashes its indicator ring or a Wi-Fi symbol.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Netflix walking away from the deal also unveils other catalysts, such as the elimination of potential regulatory risks, said Needham's Laura Martin.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
27 Feb. 2026
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Rogelberg Anthropic unveils Claude Security Anthropic has rolled out a new tool focused on cybersecurity, harnessing the power of AI to detect vulnerabilities that humans can miss.—
Alexei Oreskovic,
Fortune,
23 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shows off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shows%20off. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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