1
: a minor show offered in addition to a main exhibition (as of a circus)
2
: an incidental diversion or spectacle
Examples of sideshow in a Sentence
Their disagreement is just a political sideshow when compared to the real issues at hand.
Recent Examples on the Web
Mary’s game finally came to an end on this week’s episode, but not without a truly bizarre and wonderful sideshow to accompany her ceremonial torch-snuffing.
—
Dalton Ross, EW.com, 8 May 2025
As if Nike didn’t have enough problems (sales slump, stale designs, unfocused branding, executive shakeup), the company recently found itself on center stage in one of those increasingly frequent cultural sideshows that masquerade as news.
—Greg Petro, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
To keep tourists interested in the very long event, various sideshows followed the path as well, including one that featured a particular you-know-who mummy.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 27 Apr. 2025
The once traveling sideshow circus became cohesive.
—Alix Strauss, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sideshow
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Dalton Ross, EW.com, 8 May 2025
As if Nike didn’t have enough problems (sales slump, stale designs, unfocused branding, executive shakeup), the company recently found itself on center stage in one of those increasingly frequent cultural sideshows that masquerade as news.
—Greg Petro, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
To keep tourists interested in the very long event, various sideshows followed the path as well, including one that featured a particular you-know-who mummy.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 27 Apr. 2025
The once traveling sideshow circus became cohesive.
—Alix Strauss, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sideshow
Cite this Entry
“Sideshow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sideshow. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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sideshow
noun
side·show
-ˌshō 
: a small show off to the side offered in addition to a main show (as of a circus)
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