as in glass
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
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Recent Examples of spectacles
If your unable to view comet C/2025 R3, sky watchers can prepare for two cosmic spectacles this spring.
—
Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
An online amalgam of conspicuous consumption, natural wonders, and manmade spectacles — like the world’s tallest tower, Abu Dhabi’s Grand Mosque, and even, yes, the vivid green of Dubai Chocolate — has propelled the emirates to superlative measures of tourism and consumer behavior.
—Kelsey Warner, semafor.com, 13 Apr. 2026
Election is a ruthless, high-wire satire with its skeptical spectacles trained on authority itself.
—Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Apr. 2026
Commissions have changed over the years, allowing modern visionaries — art houses and creatives from across the globe — to showcase grand spectacles.
—Niyaz Pirani, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Nick Barnes and Finn Caldwell of Lume are handling puppetry and movement — a detail that will immediately make fans wonder what creatures or spectacles might appear onstage.
—Ryan Brennan
april 3, Charlotte Observer, 3 Apr. 2026
Ancient Roman gladiatorial games weren’t restricted to brutal spectacles between male pit warriors.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 1 Apr. 2026
Trump supporters say the protests are spectacles of no real consequence.
—Staff and Wire Reports, Daily News, 28 Mar. 2026
My lack of Portuguese comprehension skills can’t stop me from enjoying these spectacles of audiovisual harmony.
—Pitchfork, 20 Mar. 2026
Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
An online amalgam of conspicuous consumption, natural wonders, and manmade spectacles — like the world’s tallest tower, Abu Dhabi’s Grand Mosque, and even, yes, the vivid green of Dubai Chocolate — has propelled the emirates to superlative measures of tourism and consumer behavior.
—Kelsey Warner, semafor.com, 13 Apr. 2026
Election is a ruthless, high-wire satire with its skeptical spectacles trained on authority itself.
—Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Apr. 2026
Commissions have changed over the years, allowing modern visionaries — art houses and creatives from across the globe — to showcase grand spectacles.
—Niyaz Pirani, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Nick Barnes and Finn Caldwell of Lume are handling puppetry and movement — a detail that will immediately make fans wonder what creatures or spectacles might appear onstage.
—Ryan Brennan
april 3, Charlotte Observer, 3 Apr. 2026
Ancient Roman gladiatorial games weren’t restricted to brutal spectacles between male pit warriors.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 1 Apr. 2026
Trump supporters say the protests are spectacles of no real consequence.
—Staff and Wire Reports, Daily News, 28 Mar. 2026
My lack of Portuguese comprehension skills can’t stop me from enjoying these spectacles of audiovisual harmony.
—Pitchfork, 20 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spectacles
glass
Noun
-
On her wish list this year, there are string lights for $20 and a glass birdbath for $35.—
Izzy Baskette,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
-
The plainclothes detectives, who were wearing NYPD vests, then dragged Brown on the floor, over shards of broken glass, to the front of the store, ordering him to stop resisting.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spectacles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spectacles. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
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