Synonyms of showy

showy

adjective

ˈshō-ē 

as in noticeable

likely to attract attention

orchid plants are known for their huge showy flowers

Synonyms & Similar Words

• noticeable
• prominent
• dramatic
• commanding
• remarkable
• impressive
• striking
• conspicuous
• marked
• flamboyant
• brilliant
• pronounced
• emphatic
• noisy
• interesting
• bold
• outstanding
• splashy
• loud
• arresting
• eye-catching
• visible
• catchy
• distinguished
• notable
• grabby
• recognizable
• bodacious
• noteworthy
• ornate
• kenspeckle
• gaudy
• discernible
• salient
• glaring
• extravagant
• flashy
• discernable
• perceptible
• detectable
• highlighted
• fancy
• observable
• garish
• spectacular
• glitzy
• ostentatious
• tawdry
• eminent
• meretricious
• swanky
• flagrant
• fascinating
• pretentious
• jazzy
• swank
• opulent
• screaming
• overwrought
• florid
• riveting
• enthralling
• engrossing
• hifalutin
• absorbing
• glittery
• spotlighted
• overdone
• howling
• highfalutin

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• inconspicuous
• subtle
• unobtrusive
• unremarkable
• unnoticeable
• hidden
• obscure
• unshowy
• unemphatic
• concealed
• faint
• unimportant
• insignificant
• dim
• modest
• undistinguished
• shrouded
• unflamboyant
• simple
• unassuming
• plain
• unpretentious
• conservative
• quiet
• understated
• unaffected
• subdued
• restrained
• muted
• unflashy
• toned-down

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

Examples of showy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The back and forth feels distracting rather than revealing at times, a showy move that feels out of step with the overall mise-en-scene. —Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 8 Sep. 2024

The Met’s showy music director, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, will conduct. —Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2024

After being the first major film festival to navigate the choppy waters of programming huge world premieres at a time when most actors were on strike last year, the Venice Film Festival is back for its 81st edition with a lineup of showy projects. —Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 23 July 2024

This awkwardness is due to a disagreement between Mercury in your intense 8th house and Chiron in your showy 5th house. —Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 28 June 2024