freak show
noun
1
dated
: an exhibition (such as a sideshow) featuring people with physical abnormalities
2
: something that attracts attention for being strange, abnormal, or unseemly
… people who are turning our politics into a freak show for their own cynical or sanctimonious reasons.—
David Von Drehle
David Von DrehleExamples of freak show in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
While many talk shows began as fitfully amusing discussions around relevant issues, some soon devolved into sordid and exploitative freak shows that encouraged verbal and physical altercations.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Jan. 2026
His work can sometimes seem like a bit of an architectural freak show, worthy of an HGTV series more than a museum exhibition.
—Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 11 Jan. 2026
What all of these dogs share—besides their Great Dane roots—is that they’re never framed as freak shows.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2025
Soon, Stitch Head finds himself being seen — as the main attraction in the freak show.
—Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for freak show
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.
Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Jan. 2026
His work can sometimes seem like a bit of an architectural freak show, worthy of an HGTV series more than a museum exhibition.
—Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 11 Jan. 2026
What all of these dogs share—besides their Great Dane roots—is that they’re never framed as freak shows.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2025
Soon, Stitch Head finds himself being seen — as the main attraction in the freak show.
—Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for freak show
Cite this Entry
“Freak show.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/freak%20show. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
