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
Leading up to the Great American Eclipse, these safety spectacles became a bit hard to find, so buy them and more eclipse gear and merch early.
—
Maya Silver, Outside, 21 Oct. 2025
Kiss wouldn’t have another Top 10 until long after Frehley left in 1981, but the quartet’s albums continued to sell well as its arena concerts became spectacles.
—Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2025
Set against some of Riyadh’s most famous landmarks, including Bedrock, Al Mamlaka and JAX, the program combines large-scale runway spectacles with intimate fashion showcases.
—Ritu Upadhyay, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2025
The artist, known for his gunpowder paintings and outdoor pyrotechnic spectacles, was born in the southern Chinese city of Quanzhou but has been based in New York since the mid-90s.
—Chris Lau, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2025
Even Mike Shildt, who is loath to speak publicly about anything that would suggest his spectacles are not rose-tinted, said as much.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Sep. 2025
Read on for more 2026 Total Eclipse cruises designed to deliver front-row seats to one of Earth's most stunning spectacles.
—Susan B. Barnes, Travel + Leisure, 19 Sep. 2025
The events often result in post-convention polling bounces for the presidential candidates who are the center of the spectacles.
—Joey Garrison, USA Today, 17 Sep. 2025
The polar migration of birds is one of nature’s great spectacles.
—Kate Wong, Scientific American, 16 Sep. 2025
Maya Silver, Outside, 21 Oct. 2025
Kiss wouldn’t have another Top 10 until long after Frehley left in 1981, but the quartet’s albums continued to sell well as its arena concerts became spectacles.
—Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2025
Set against some of Riyadh’s most famous landmarks, including Bedrock, Al Mamlaka and JAX, the program combines large-scale runway spectacles with intimate fashion showcases.
—Ritu Upadhyay, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2025
The artist, known for his gunpowder paintings and outdoor pyrotechnic spectacles, was born in the southern Chinese city of Quanzhou but has been based in New York since the mid-90s.
—Chris Lau, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2025
Even Mike Shildt, who is loath to speak publicly about anything that would suggest his spectacles are not rose-tinted, said as much.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Sep. 2025
Read on for more 2026 Total Eclipse cruises designed to deliver front-row seats to one of Earth's most stunning spectacles.
—Susan B. Barnes, Travel + Leisure, 19 Sep. 2025
The events often result in post-convention polling bounces for the presidential candidates who are the center of the spectacles.
—Joey Garrison, USA Today, 17 Sep. 2025
The polar migration of birds is one of nature’s great spectacles.
—Kate Wong, Scientific American, 16 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spectacles
glass
Noun
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Jourdan is a relatively calm ghost (staff report objects being moved around the restaurant), but there’s a slightly more active spirit in the Courtyard Bar, where there have been three instances of an unknown source throwing a glass from across the room.—
Sophie Friedman,
AFAR Media,
22 Oct. 2025
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The Winterwonder pass includes a flexible arrival time, expedited entry entrance to the Lilly House Lounge, a premium beverage and a fast pass access for food and drink, festive glasses, blinky lights and ticket insurance.—
Domenica Bongiovanni,
IndyStar,
21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spectacles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spectacles. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
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