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
For several years now, Netflix has been on the hunt for live sporting events and spectacles to beam to its 325 million global subscribers.
—
Frederick Dreier, Outside, 27 Jan. 2026
It’s become largely focussed on creating spectacles, such as the No Kings protests, that can mobilize large numbers of people at breakneck speed to march, sign petitions, and contribute money.
—Charles Duhigg, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
These are big arena spectacles dedicated to an art form that even many of the TV show’s biggest fans would agree is best appreciated live.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 24 Jan. 2026
Beyond spectacles, Chinese New Year is incomplete without subtle wordplay.
—Denni Hu, Footwear News, 23 Jan. 2026
Michael Bay, the mega-director behind the Transformers and Bad Boys action spectacles, has signed with CAA.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 23 Jan. 2026
The upcoming ruling Workers’ Party congress, the first of its kind in five years, is one of North Korea’s biggest propaganda spectacles and is intended to review past projects, establish new political and economic priorities and reshuffle officials.
—CNN Money, 21 Jan. 2026
With nominations spanning political dramas, creature features, sports spectacles and intimate character studies, this year’s Oscar nominations promise one of the most eclectic and competitive fields.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 20 Jan. 2026
Put on the costume, wear the expression, slip on the spectacles, and present yourself as erudite.
—Literary Hub, 20 Jan. 2026
Frederick Dreier, Outside, 27 Jan. 2026
It’s become largely focussed on creating spectacles, such as the No Kings protests, that can mobilize large numbers of people at breakneck speed to march, sign petitions, and contribute money.
—Charles Duhigg, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
These are big arena spectacles dedicated to an art form that even many of the TV show’s biggest fans would agree is best appreciated live.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 24 Jan. 2026
Beyond spectacles, Chinese New Year is incomplete without subtle wordplay.
—Denni Hu, Footwear News, 23 Jan. 2026
Michael Bay, the mega-director behind the Transformers and Bad Boys action spectacles, has signed with CAA.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 23 Jan. 2026
The upcoming ruling Workers’ Party congress, the first of its kind in five years, is one of North Korea’s biggest propaganda spectacles and is intended to review past projects, establish new political and economic priorities and reshuffle officials.
—CNN Money, 21 Jan. 2026
With nominations spanning political dramas, creature features, sports spectacles and intimate character studies, this year’s Oscar nominations promise one of the most eclectic and competitive fields.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 20 Jan. 2026
Put on the costume, wear the expression, slip on the spectacles, and present yourself as erudite.
—Literary Hub, 20 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spectacles
glass
Noun
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Strolling past glass display cases of fossils and earthenware artifacts, my eyes landed on a rack by the main entrance with flyers advertising children’s events and local flea markets.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Jan. 2026
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The auction house leaves behind its more cloistered Madison Avenue home for airy galleries in an 80-foot glass atrium, as well as an opulent neoclassical rotunda in the historic Steinway Hall.—
Jacqui Palumbo,
CNN Money,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spectacles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spectacles. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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