1
as in pageant
an elaborate, visually exciting show or event
the multimedia spectacles that have become established parts of the opening and closing ceremonies for the Olympic Games
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in glass
spectacles plural
a pair of lenses set in a frame that is held in place with ear supports and which are usually worn to correct vision
bought a pair of spectacles with nonprescription lenses simply to look more intelligent
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of spectacle
His halftime show exemplified this fearless approach; to layer genuine education upon mass spectacle, and to slyly rail against injustice with humor and joy.
—
Andrew R. Chow, Time, 9 Feb. 2026
Bad Bunny’s was closer to a cultural moment, a paradigm shift, a reimagining of how much a halftime spectacle can resemble art.
—Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026
More about Bad Bunny's halftime performance Bad Bunny’s scintillating 13-minute halftime spectacle was filled with cultural references, a wedding, and handing one of his new Grammys to a little boy.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 9 Feb. 2026
The event, more than an adorable spectacle but an opportunity to highlight the need for adoption, pitted Team Ruff once again against Team Fluff in a game that welcomed 150 dogs from 72 shelters across the United States, Puerto Rico, and the British Virgin Islands.
—Rin Velasco, The Providence Journal, 8 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spectacle
Andrew R. Chow, Time, 9 Feb. 2026
Bad Bunny’s was closer to a cultural moment, a paradigm shift, a reimagining of how much a halftime spectacle can resemble art.
—Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026
More about Bad Bunny's halftime performance Bad Bunny’s scintillating 13-minute halftime spectacle was filled with cultural references, a wedding, and handing one of his new Grammys to a little boy.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 9 Feb. 2026
The event, more than an adorable spectacle but an opportunity to highlight the need for adoption, pitted Team Ruff once again against Team Fluff in a game that welcomed 150 dogs from 72 shelters across the United States, Puerto Rico, and the British Virgin Islands.
—Rin Velasco, The Providence Journal, 8 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spectacle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spectacle
Noun
-
The Miss Intercontinental 2025 pageant, which seeks the most beautiful woman from all continents, was supposed to take place last year but was postponed to January 2026 for logistical reasons.—
Sarah Moreno
February 6,
Miami Herald,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Another beauty pageant, Miss Arizona USA, has not seen a winner from the 48th state but multiple runner-ups for the top honor.—
Arizona Republic,
AZCentral.com,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
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On May 17, a bomb rocked Palm Springs, California – shaking structures for several blocks, shattering glass and leveling one innocuous-looking building.—
Curt Devine,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Arsenal, with their glass-half-full mentality, might think that dreadful sequence has to come to an end sometime.—
Stuart James,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The trust has added outdoor exhibits representing the main gate of the mission-fort and renovated the Plaza de Valero next to the Menger Hotel.—
Madison Iszler,
San Antonio Express-News,
10 Feb. 2026
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Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties filed a joint amicus brief that supports Philadelphia's effort in court to restore the exhibits.—
Alexandra Simon,
CBS News,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
And for the first time, the Puppy Bowl will spotlight senior dogs in a special halftime exhibition game between Team Oldies and Team Goldies.—
Bebe Hodges,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
8 Feb. 2026
-
The exhibition opened with a Friday celebration that featured poetry, live art and two short films.—
Maya Wilkins,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Nerds’ ad will air during the second quarter of the gridiron spectacular.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Each December, cities around Europe transform into twinkling holiday spectaculars, hosting Christmas markets and general cheer, where the hot cocoa flows like a river.—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The couple's chemistry is on full display in the Super Bowl commercial, which will also air during the Olympics throughout the month of February.—
Skyler Caruso,
PEOPLE,
4 Feb. 2026
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This set will make for an eye-catching display in your home, and a fun one for guests to play with.—
Katie Decker-Jacoby,
StyleCaster,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The Xfinity Super Bowl ad, airing this Sunday during the NFL extravaganza, sees Neill back as Alan, Dern back as paleobotanist Ellie Sattler, and Goldblum back as chaos theory mathematician Ian Malcolm.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Feb. 2026
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Every year, these flashy performances — from classic movie-musical extravaganzas to Disney earworms to Bond themes to power ballads — are the highlight of an already ridiculously flashy ceremony.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spectacle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spectacle. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
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