Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective flashy contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of flashy are garish, gaudy, meretricious, and tawdry. While all these words mean "vulgarly or cheaply showy," flashy implies an effect of brilliance quickly and easily seen to be shallow or vulgar.

a flashy nightclub act

When can garish be used instead of flashy?

Although the words garish and flashy have much in common, garish describes what is distressingly or offensively bright.

garish neon signs

When is it sensible to use gaudy instead of flashy?

The meanings of gaudy and flashy largely overlap; however, gaudy implies a tasteless use of overly bright, often clashing colors or excessive ornamentation.

circus performers in gaudy costumes

When might meretricious be a better fit than flashy?

The synonyms meretricious and flashy are sometimes interchangeable, but meretricious stresses falsity and may describe a tawdry show that beckons with a false allure or promise.

a meretricious wasteland of casinos and bars

When would tawdry be a good substitute for flashy?

In some situations, the words tawdry and flashy are roughly equivalent. However, tawdry applies to what is at once gaudy and cheap and sleazy.

tawdry saloons

Examples 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 flashy Duggan's first-half stats weren't flashy (7 of 16 for 89 yards, one TD, one interception; eight carries, 30 yards, one TD), but his poise and grit and timing were crucial in staking the Frogs a 21-3 lead. Richard Obert, The Arizona Republic, 2 Jan. 2023 While the utensils, pots, and pans aren't flashy, they're designed to be durable and lightweight; plus, the set is a whopping $90 off right now. Toni Sutton, Peoplemag, 29 Dec. 2022 Chef books are flashy and make great coffee table books, but the way restaurants conceive and execute dishes is anathema to home cooking. Melissa Clark, Dallas News, 20 Dec. 2022 Even though the stage was slightly different with Kenny Pickett under center, instead of Mitchell Trubisky, the Bengals still kept the Steelers’ rookie quarterback from being flashy in the second half of Cincinnati’s 37-30 road victory. Mohammad Ahmad, cleveland, 20 Nov. 2022 See all Example Sentences for flashy 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flashy
Adjective
  • Beautiful by Drew Barrymore Six-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker Beautiful by Drew Barrymore Six-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker Get this stylish slow cooker at Walmart for less than $50.
    Kasey Caminiti, USA TODAY, 27 Nov. 2024
  • The Danish audio brand has unveiled the stylish new Beoplay Eleven, inspired by its sleek Beoplay H100 headphones that debuted in September.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 27 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • This occurs when an object vibrates after being hit by sound waves at a higher amplitude, like when a drummer hits a drum and the instrument and air vibrate to create a loud sound.
    Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 22 Nov. 2024
  • The peak level of noise, measured at roughly six miles away, was as loud as a gunshot at close range, per the New York Times.
    Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Zemeckis is able to hide the movie’s flaws with his snazzy storytelling device, using pop-up windows (a nod to the film’s source material) to transition between time periods and sometimes feature multiple eras in the same sequence.
    Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 31 Oct. 2024
  • Elsewhere is a ballroom-style room containing a snazzy wet bar and a wine cellar.
    Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 30 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • Instead of visiting the range on a noisy, busy Saturday, go after work or to a private range.
    Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 13 Nov. 2024
  • All started with the noisy image on the left above, so all are improvements on the original.
    PCMAG, PCMAG, 12 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • It’s lined with a fuzzy wool blend that will keep your feet warm and cozy while commuting to work or window shopping in the cold, and its fluffy sheepskin detailing adds a touch of fashionable flair.
    Averi Baudler, People.com, 4 Nov. 2024
  • This affordable new collection features a range of fashionable and affordable eyewear options inspired by Kittle’s dynamic and bold persona on and off the field.
    Kasey Caminiti, USA TODAY, 4 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • The gaudy designs of fan-favorite heroes were toned down, their costumes shaded in muted tones.
    Jack King, Vulture, 13 Oct. 2024
  • Textures don’t have to be too gaudy but should add an interesting aspect to your look.
    Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 30 Sep. 2024
Adjective
  • In a way, this meme draws together disparate threads that have impacted the political discourse over the last few days into one neat package.
    Callum Booth, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
  • International politics are too complicated for neat binaries.
    Daniel DePetris, Twin Cities, 3 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Keeping your bedroom cool may also help reduce sweat that can stain or soil your mattress.
    Heather Cruickshank, SELF, 23 Nov. 2024
  • Instead, let food cool to room temperature or refrigerate quickly.
    Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 23 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near flashy

Cite this Entry

“Flashy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flashy. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on flashy

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