1,400 new words in our dictionary! — Parasocial, glow-up, promposal & more
1,400 new words in our dictionary! — More

spectacular 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of spectacularnext
1
as in extravagant

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words
2
as in incredible

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

spectacular

2 of 2

noun

as in exhibit
an elaborate, visually exciting show or event the larger-than-life spectaculars that make Las Vegas attractive to people with little interest in gambling

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of spectacular
Adjective
Going to Japan for the autumn is big right now, where the fall colors are just as spectacular as the cherry blossoms in spring. — Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Sep. 2026 At nearly 13 miles long, the full Nordschleife circuit is less a race course than a country road with some spectacular safety upgrades. — Byron Hurd, The Drive, 9 Sep. 2026
Noun
In what is being compared to a Super Bowl spectacular, the performances are set to be broadcast live to millions of soccer fans. — Tiago Ventura, Time, 12 June 2026 Last summer, Atlanta announced an ambitious plan to end encampments and other street sleeping downtown ahead of the 39-day soccer spectacular that begins June 11. — ABC News, 9 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for spectacular
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spectacular
  1. extravagant
  2. incredible
  3. exhibit
  4. flamboyant
  5. extraordinary
  6. pageant
  7. showy
  8. phenomenal
Adjective
  • Whereas Putin takes extravagant risks on the international stage but is loath to hold his associates accountable for incompetence, Xi is just the opposite.
    — Jonathan A. Czin, The Atlantic, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Bob Mackie, the designer whose glittering, extravagant creations helped define the look of some of the 20th century’s biggest stars, has died at 87.
    — Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of extravagant
Adjective
  • In finishing 27 for 30 for 401 yards, Mensah went an incredible 12 for 14 on passes thrown 10 yards or more.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2026
  • The best form of flattery is imitation, and Robert Pattinson does an incredible impression of Chris Hansen for A24’s new movie, Primetime.
    — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of incredible
Noun
  • The open-plan, curvilinear design means the galleries are not fully divided, reinforcing the all-encompassing nature of the collection, though altogether the vast array of exhibits sometimes struggle for cohesiveness.
    — Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2026
  • The explosion occurred while the Washoe was racing another steamboat, the Sacramento History Museum, which has an exhibit of remnants of the steamboat, said.
    — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of exhibit
Adjective
  • Andreas brings him to a rich guy’s place, where Luca catches the eye of a flamboyant coke-snorting crossdresser whose affect radiates malevolence.
    — Jay Weissberg, Variety, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Throw in Paisley’s flamboyant showmanship and first-rate band, and this proved a relentlessly entertaining country show for the fortunate 7,113 in attendance.
    — Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of flamboyant
Adjective
  • South Florida motorists routinely saw police officers hurtling along highways at extraordinary speeds without lights, sirens or any apparent emergency.
    — Sally Kestin, Sun Sentinel, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Barcelona are still extraordinary — and remain a reminder that there are no quick fixes.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of extraordinary
Noun
  • Sisic was crowned Miss Austria in 2024, and continued to hold the title as there were no further pageants after that, the outlets reported.
    — Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2026
  • When the pageant recruiter comes to school, Paulina and her crew pull out all the stops.
    — Greg Evans, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of pageant
Adjective
  • Tall sedums, like ‘Autumn Joy,’ are famed for their big and showy flowers, which dry beautifully and linger on the plant through winter.
    — Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 7 Sep. 2026
  • The two actors are close; Rockwell, with the less showy supporting role, is generous to a fault with his 72-year-old co-star, who runs with the ball and could win the Best Actor Oscar.
    — Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of showy
Adjective
  • For a third-year player in a small and uber-competitive sport, Clark has been phenomenal, but this is not a league that anyone can instantly take over.
    — Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Several Fort Worth-area running backs posted phenomenal performances in Week 2.
    — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of phenomenal

Browse Nearby Words

spectacles
spectacular
spectacularly
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spectacular.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spectacular. Accessed 17 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of watershed

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
funny guinea pig in glasses reading a book
Challenging Words You Should Know Vol 2 Words to the wise
See All