Definition of showynext

Synonym Chooser

How is the word showy different from other adjectives like it?

The words ostentatious and pretentious are common synonyms of showy. While all three words mean "given to excessive outward display," showy implies an imposing or striking appearance but usually suggests cheapness or poor taste.

the performers' showy costumes

When might ostentatious be a better fit than showy?

In some situations, the words ostentatious and showy are roughly equivalent. However, ostentatious stresses vainglorious display or parade.

the ostentatious summer homes of the rich

When can pretentious be used instead of showy?

The synonyms pretentious and showy are sometimes interchangeable, but pretentious implies an appearance of importance not justified by the thing's value or the person's standing.

a pretentious parade of hard 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 showy Outdoors, the magnolias, camellias and winter roses are blooming, along with the first of spring’s showy daffodils, and the hiking trails are open. Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2026 Tall stems with big, showy flowers in all colors make poppies a beautiful cut flower for an indoor arrangement. Haniya Rae, Martha Stewart, 5 Feb. 2026 As for the tourists, their van pulls up, far in the background of a long shot that gazes through the grand lobby of the hotel—where, in the foreground, a small folk orchestra of blind musicians, accompanied by a dance troupe’s festive gyrations, provides a showy welcome. Richard Brody, New Yorker, 4 Feb. 2026 The service The service is fantastic, but never over the top or showy. Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for showy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for showy
Adjective
  • The gusty and chilly winds will also be noticeable, especially on Thursday.
    Steven Sosna, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Officials said the smell of gas was noticeable across multiple locations throughout the city.
    Elissa Jorgensen, Dallas Morning News, 10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • His is the most prominent case under the 2020 law and marks a severe blow to press freedom.
    Kanis Leung, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Yet in the ensuing years, prominent people in business, finance, politics, and academia continued to associate with him.
    John Cassidy, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • The President demoted Greg Bovino, the commanding agent in charge of the roving patrols that have besieged Los Angeles, Chicago, Charlotte, and Minneapolis.
    Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2026
  • Arsenal have allowed their previously commanding lead to slip in recent weeks while Nottingham Forest and West Ham have both found form to boost their chances of avoiding relegation.
    Graham Ruthven, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The baker's dozen invited to the event on Wednesday represents a dramatic increase from last season.
    Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 11 Feb. 2026
  • The growth in connected TV usage proved most dramatic in Indonesia and the Philippines, highlighting how living room viewing on large screens is becoming central to the streaming category’s evolution.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Given how unbeatable the Avs looked in the first half, that’s pretty remarkable.
    Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Terrance Gore, a baseball player whose remarkable speed earned him spots on three championship teams, including the 2020 Dodgers, died Friday, the Kansas City Royals announced on social media.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • That’s impressive for a rebuilding team, but is anyone picking the Ducks over the Oilers in a playoff series?
    Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
  • The seven others are an impressive array of politicians and nonpoliticians alike, all articulate and accomplished in various ways.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • One of the most striking demonstrations involved encoding an image of the Mona Lisa into the smart skin.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 6 Feb. 2026
  • While the extremely volatile cryptocurrency has been put through the wringer on several occasions over the years, the decline comes at a striking moment.
    Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Trump’s steamrolling of anything, including the Constitution, that might impede his authoritarian project has made the limpness of the Democratic opposition more conspicuous.
    Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
  • For those who are well versed in mushrooms in Southern California, there isn’t a sense of alarm of possible poisonings because the toxic mushrooms are a lot less conspicuous in the southern part of the state.
    Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Showy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/showy. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on showy

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!