as in glass
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
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Recent Examples of spectacles
With his leading-man looks nerded down with spectacles, science T-shirts and a planet Earth hacky sack, Gosling portrays Grace as a teacher way out of his element amid hardcore NASA types.
—
Brian Truitt, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
Ravi stands some feet away, in a space all to himself, looking serious in his spectacles.
—Literary Hub, 9 Mar. 2026
What Gyllenhaal’s movie shares with far less substantial big-budget spectacles is the delivery of effects without causes.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2026
So far, 2026 has offered up some celestial spectacles, including a total lunar eclipse and a planetary parade.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 3 Mar. 2026
Rather than focusing on the shiny diversions of loud spectacles, Americans might take a few moments this year to explore the parallels between our current condition and the detailed indictment of particulars that Thomas Jefferson laid out against the king of England in 1776.
—Edwin C. Yohnka, Chicago Tribune, 1 Mar. 2026
On state television, Khamenei projected an avuncular demeanor, his spectacles framing a sharp gaze.
—Karl Vick, Time, 28 Feb. 2026
Mike Johnson had his little beige tie and his spectacles and his flag pin and his salt-and-pepper hair, neatly in place, and his pink Kewpie-doll cheeks, and he was just thrilled to be visited by the president.
—Alexandra Petri, The Atlantic, 25 Feb. 2026
With folkloric sounds as the backdrop and elaborate costumes worn by the performers, the spectacles tell the story of Andalucían history.
—Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Feb. 2026
Brian Truitt, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
Ravi stands some feet away, in a space all to himself, looking serious in his spectacles.
—Literary Hub, 9 Mar. 2026
What Gyllenhaal’s movie shares with far less substantial big-budget spectacles is the delivery of effects without causes.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2026
So far, 2026 has offered up some celestial spectacles, including a total lunar eclipse and a planetary parade.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 3 Mar. 2026
Rather than focusing on the shiny diversions of loud spectacles, Americans might take a few moments this year to explore the parallels between our current condition and the detailed indictment of particulars that Thomas Jefferson laid out against the king of England in 1776.
—Edwin C. Yohnka, Chicago Tribune, 1 Mar. 2026
On state television, Khamenei projected an avuncular demeanor, his spectacles framing a sharp gaze.
—Karl Vick, Time, 28 Feb. 2026
Mike Johnson had his little beige tie and his spectacles and his flag pin and his salt-and-pepper hair, neatly in place, and his pink Kewpie-doll cheeks, and he was just thrilled to be visited by the president.
—Alexandra Petri, The Atlantic, 25 Feb. 2026
With folkloric sounds as the backdrop and elaborate costumes worn by the performers, the spectacles tell the story of Andalucían history.
—Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spectacles
glass
Noun
-
Considered a national hero for Finns, his trophies are displayed in a glass cabinet.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Miles is referring to the glass court the Horned Frogs played on in Kansas City, Missouri, during the Big 12 Tournament.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spectacles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spectacles. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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