1
as in pageant
an elaborate, visually exciting show or event
the multimedia spectacles that have become established parts of the opening and closing ceremonies for the Olympic Games
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in glass
spectacles plural
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
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 spectacle
His halftime show exemplified this fearless approach; to layer genuine education upon mass spectacle, and to slyly rail against injustice with humor and joy.
—
Andrew R. Chow, Time, 9 Feb. 2026
Bad Bunny’s was closer to a cultural moment, a paradigm shift, a reimagining of how much a halftime spectacle can resemble art.
—Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026
More about Bad Bunny's halftime performance Bad Bunny’s scintillating 13-minute halftime spectacle was filled with cultural references, a wedding, and handing one of his new Grammys to a little boy.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 9 Feb. 2026
The event, more than an adorable spectacle but an opportunity to highlight the need for adoption, pitted Team Ruff once again against Team Fluff in a game that welcomed 150 dogs from 72 shelters across the United States, Puerto Rico, and the British Virgin Islands.
—Rin Velasco, The Providence Journal, 8 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spectacle
Andrew R. Chow, Time, 9 Feb. 2026
Bad Bunny’s was closer to a cultural moment, a paradigm shift, a reimagining of how much a halftime spectacle can resemble art.
—Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026
More about Bad Bunny's halftime performance Bad Bunny’s scintillating 13-minute halftime spectacle was filled with cultural references, a wedding, and handing one of his new Grammys to a little boy.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 9 Feb. 2026
The event, more than an adorable spectacle but an opportunity to highlight the need for adoption, pitted Team Ruff once again against Team Fluff in a game that welcomed 150 dogs from 72 shelters across the United States, Puerto Rico, and the British Virgin Islands.
—Rin Velasco, The Providence Journal, 8 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spectacle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spectacle
Noun
-
The Miss Intercontinental 2025 pageant, which seeks the most beautiful woman from all continents, was supposed to take place last year but was postponed to January 2026 for logistical reasons.—
Sarah Moreno
February 6,
Miami Herald,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Another beauty pageant, Miss Arizona USA, has not seen a winner from the 48th state but multiple runner-ups for the top honor.—
Arizona Republic,
AZCentral.com,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
On May 17, a bomb rocked Palm Springs, California – shaking structures for several blocks, shattering glass and leveling one innocuous-looking building.—
Curt Devine,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Arsenal, with their glass-half-full mentality, might think that dreadful sequence has to come to an end sometime.—
Stuart James,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The trust has added outdoor exhibits representing the main gate of the mission-fort and renovated the Plaza de Valero next to the Menger Hotel.—
Madison Iszler,
San Antonio Express-News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties filed a joint amicus brief that supports Philadelphia's effort in court to restore the exhibits.—
Alexandra Simon,
CBS News,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Portland’s Damian Lillard joined Bird and Craig Hodges (1990-92) as the only three-time winners with a stunning exhibition in the final round, ending up with a score of 29 — two better than runner-up and 2018 champion Devin Booker of Phoenix.—
Steve Galluzzo,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Being a part of the exhibition at MoMu then, alongside other contemporary designers like Studio Nazzal and Zeid Hijazi, feels particularly remarkable.—
Zoe Whitfield,
CNN Money,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
For Valentine’s Day, their biggest day of the year, the shop will lean into the spectacular.—
Brock Keeling,
Oc Register,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Nerds’ ad will air during the second quarter of the gridiron spectacular.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Placing them in a silver footed bowl makes the display elegant enough for a table centerpiece for a holiday celebration.—
Miranda Crowell,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Consumer electronics researchers are designing self-healing polymers for flexible displays and scratch-prone protective surfaces.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The Xfinity Super Bowl ad, airing this Sunday during the NFL extravaganza, sees Neill back as Alan, Dern back as paleobotanist Ellie Sattler, and Goldblum back as chaos theory mathematician Ian Malcolm.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Every year, these flashy performances — from classic movie-musical extravaganzas to Disney earworms to Bond themes to power ballads — are the highlight of an already ridiculously flashy ceremony.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spectacle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spectacle. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
