Definition of showynext

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 Flowers are large and showy, reaching up to 7 inches wide. Miranda Crowell, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Jan. 2026 As spring approaches, look for the large flowers of the desert lily to emerge on sandy flats, and the various species of cactus to sport showy flowers from green and yellow to iridescent red. Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Jan. 2026 Finished in late 2025 after four years of planning and construction, the three-story residence is substantial without being showy. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 15 Jan. 2026 After Hours is slick, showy, cinematic, explicit about its eighties inspirations—new wave, electropop, R&B—and its pure pop aspirations. Literary Hub, 14 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for showy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for showy
Adjective
  • The rich brown shade imparts barely-noticeable color that subtly brightens my gaze, while lifting and separating each lash with just a few swipes.
    Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 3 Feb. 2026
  • That’s why her recent absence has been so noticeable.
    Barry Svrluga, Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • His is the most prominent case under the 2020 law and marks a severe blow to press freedom.
    Kanis Leung, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Yet in the ensuing years, prominent people in business, finance, politics, and academia continued to associate with him.
    John Cassidy, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • The President demoted Greg Bovino, the commanding agent in charge of the roving patrols that have besieged Los Angeles, Chicago, Charlotte, and Minneapolis.
    Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2026
  • Arsenal have allowed their previously commanding lead to slip in recent weeks while Nottingham Forest and West Ham have both found form to boost their chances of avoiding relegation.
    Graham Ruthven, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • That led to Charles’ extraordinary decision to strip Andrew of his royal titles and evict him from the royal estate in Windsor – the British monarch’s most dramatic attempt to quell the scandal over the disgraced former prince’s links to Epstein.
    Max Foster, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 2026
  • Cinema and poetry often inspire Rose with her namesake designs, bringing a dramatic edge to feminine styling that still yields to strength and confidence.
    Julia Teti, Footwear News, 4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Given how unbeatable the Avs looked in the first half, that’s pretty remarkable.
    Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Terrance Gore, a baseball player whose remarkable speed earned him spots on three championship teams, including the 2020 Dodgers, died Friday, the Kansas City Royals announced on social media.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • That’s impressive for a rebuilding team, but is anyone picking the Ducks over the Oilers in a playoff series?
    Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
  • The seven others are an impressive array of politicians and nonpoliticians alike, all articulate and accomplished in various ways.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • One of the most striking demonstrations involved encoding an image of the Mona Lisa into the smart skin.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 6 Feb. 2026
  • While the extremely volatile cryptocurrency has been put through the wringer on several occasions over the years, the decline comes at a striking moment.
    Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Given how DeSantis and his allies are battering local governments for alleged waste, fraud and abuse, their silence in this case is conspicuous.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 4 Feb. 2026
  • At times, more than rendering them humans with layered existences, the subplots and character details make the film’s reality feel convoluted, because these components don’t always come off like conspicuous additions, rather than unimposingly folded into their personalities.
    Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 1 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Showy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/showy. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.

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