Synonym Chooser

How is the word showy different from other adjectives like it?

The words ostentatious and pretentious are common synonyms of showy. While all three words mean "given to excessive outward display," showy implies an imposing or striking appearance but usually suggests cheapness or poor taste.

the performers' showy costumes

When might ostentatious be a better fit than showy?

In some situations, the words ostentatious and showy are roughly equivalent. However, ostentatious stresses vainglorious display or parade.

the ostentatious summer homes of the rich

When can pretentious be used instead of showy?

The synonyms pretentious and showy are sometimes interchangeable, but pretentious implies an appearance of importance not justified by the thing's value or the person's standing.

a pretentious parade of hard words

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 showy Don’t be shy about breaking out a showy belt buckle, vintage Western wear, and a bold cowboy hat. Karla Walsh, Southern Living, 3 May 2025 Alicia Vikander, 'The Danish Girl' (2016) Eddie Redmayne has the showier role as 19th-century trans pioneer Lili Elbe, the first person known to receive gender confirmation surgery. Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 25 Feb. 2025 In the primary suite, the chatelaine’s dressing room is a fashionista’s dream with a showy display for her shoes, in which every pair is presented like jewelry on a backlit white onyx Goldshire background. Tori Latham, Robb Report, 20 Mar. 2025 The main stairs lead up to a duplex designed as a rental, with a loggia over 49th Street and a showy centerpiece: a curving staircase with a chrome handrail designed by Sanders, who also designed tubular chrome furniture. Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 20 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for showy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for showy
Adjective
  • Last year, there were multiple reports and videos of noticeable early exits at various Trump events.
    Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 May 2025
  • The chirping is hardly noticeable at a nearby pizza restaurant with the doors closed.
    Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2025
Adjective
  • His script may go over the top, and a generally adept cast (which also includes prominent parts for Sinbad, Rockmond Dunbar, Shalet Monique and others) copes variably with its excesses.
    Dennis Harvey, Variety, 6 June 2025
  • The two prominent Idaho families joined when Andrus’s youngest daughter, Kelly, married Church’s son Chase in 1989.
    Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 6 June 2025
Adjective
  • The dispute involves the latest instance of the Trump Administration orchestrating a speedy and dramatic about-face by federal agencies on DEI policies, transgender rights and similar culture war issues.
    Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 4 June 2025
  • And some series drew big crowds, such as Hagerty’s dramatic three-game conquests against Winter Park and Spruce Creek, which included three extra-inning games.
    Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 June 2025
Adjective
  • The defending champions must find a way to slow down the duo of Draisaitl and Connor McDavid in Game 2, or the series could be heading to Florida with the Oilers holding a commanding 2-0 lead.
    Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
  • Early polls, such as an Inside California Politics/Emerson survey show her with a commanding 31% to 8% lead over former Rep. Katie Porter, who was in second, among likely voters.
    Douglas Schoen, Oc Register, 5 June 2025
Adjective
  • Even the endless parade of records this match set doesn’t quite do justice to the remarkable tennis on display.
    Jamie Barton, CNN Money, 8 June 2025
  • Despite encountering macroeconomic challenges, the brand persists as a global growth powerhouse with an expanding international presence and remarkable efficiency.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025
Adjective
  • There was an impressive level of fluidity in the side, with right-winger Helmut Rahn tending to stick to his role, but the others rotating within matches.
    Michael Cox, New York Times, 1 June 2025
  • Luckily, June brings an impressive lineup of new and returning shows, including The Bear, Squid Game, The Gilded Age and more.
    Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025
Adjective
  • This tall, airy verbena is very striking when the wispy stems wave in the breeze.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 3 June 2025
  • Nickerson became a person of interest in the case just days after Peterson was killed, when he was arrested in an unrelated crime and detectives noticed his booking photo bore a striking resemblance to a police sketch of the teacher’s killer.
    Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025
Adjective
  • Apple is a conspicuous laggard, the stock on the verge of breaking down below a former peak from almost two years ago.
    Michael Santoli, CNBC, 2 June 2025
  • The conspicuous tracking collar is clearly visible in the video.
    Brooke Baitinger, Sacbee.com, 30 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Showy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/showy. Accessed 14 Jun. 2025.

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