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
Whether Washington's political class loves it or hates it, the White House lawn is about to host one of the wildest sports spectacles in American history.
—
Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 10 June 2026
On Tuesday, rodeo lovers and animal welfare advocates descended on downtown Los Angeles to argue for and against a draft ordinance that would ban the hooved spectacles within the city.
—Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026
As spectacles for fashion and luxury, celebrity weddings tend to be welcomed distractions from the day-to-day, like the excitement that followed Beyoncé and Jay-Z when they were married in 2008 amid the financial crisis.
—Alli Rosenbloom, CNN Money, 9 June 2026
The Americans are something of a mystery coming into this biggest-of-all sports spectacles.
—Filip Bondy, New York Daily News, 7 June 2026
Given the occasion and what was at stake, extra time — and in particular the last five minutes of it — must surely be considered among the most exciting spectacles sport has ever produced.
—Will Jeanes, New York Times, 5 June 2026
So as the nation gears up for explosive aerial spectacles on July 4, why not also catch some of the whiz-bang physicality scheduled on stages across the country?
—Celia Wren, Washington Post, 4 June 2026
The new institution positions those achievements not as distant spectacles but as part of a local story, set within walking distance of more than 30 schools and kindergartens.
—Bridget Borgobello
may 30, New Atlas, 30 May 2026
The combination is expected to draw photographers, tourists and locals onto Manhattan’s east-west streets for one of the city’s most iconic urban skywatching spectacles.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 10 June 2026
On Tuesday, rodeo lovers and animal welfare advocates descended on downtown Los Angeles to argue for and against a draft ordinance that would ban the hooved spectacles within the city.
—Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026
As spectacles for fashion and luxury, celebrity weddings tend to be welcomed distractions from the day-to-day, like the excitement that followed Beyoncé and Jay-Z when they were married in 2008 amid the financial crisis.
—Alli Rosenbloom, CNN Money, 9 June 2026
The Americans are something of a mystery coming into this biggest-of-all sports spectacles.
—Filip Bondy, New York Daily News, 7 June 2026
Given the occasion and what was at stake, extra time — and in particular the last five minutes of it — must surely be considered among the most exciting spectacles sport has ever produced.
—Will Jeanes, New York Times, 5 June 2026
So as the nation gears up for explosive aerial spectacles on July 4, why not also catch some of the whiz-bang physicality scheduled on stages across the country?
—Celia Wren, Washington Post, 4 June 2026
The new institution positions those achievements not as distant spectacles but as part of a local story, set within walking distance of more than 30 schools and kindergartens.
—Bridget Borgobello
may 30, New Atlas, 30 May 2026
The combination is expected to draw photographers, tourists and locals onto Manhattan’s east-west streets for one of the city’s most iconic urban skywatching spectacles.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spectacles
glass
Noun
-
Original details like Murano glass chandeliers and heart pine floors preserve the property’s sense of place, while modern comforts keep the experience feeling luxurious rather than museum-like.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
9 June 2026
-
Escola's custom Wiederhoeft creation featured a lace-up corset in pale blue taffeta with draping at the chest and hips and hand-embroidered metallic blue glass beads.—
Catherine Santino,
PEOPLE,
8 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spectacles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spectacles. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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