SHOWY Synonyms: 101 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

showy

adjective

ˈshō-ē

Definition of showy next

as in noticeable

likely to attract attention orchid plants are known for their huge showy flowers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

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 showy The back and forth feels distracting rather than revealing at times, a showy move that feels out of step with the overall mise-en-scene. —

Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 8 Sep. 2024 The Met’s showy music director, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, will conduct. —

Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2024 After being the first major film festival to navigate the choppy waters of programming huge world premieres at a time when most actors were on strike last year, the Venice Film Festival is back for its 81st edition with a lineup of showy projects. —

Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 23 July 2024 This awkwardness is due to a disagreement between Mercury in your intense 8th house and Chiron in your showy 5th house. —

Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 28 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for showy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for showy

Adjective

Oppo’s newest flagship phone, the Find X8 Pro, is the first phone in this series to return to the global stage after the last two models remained China-exclusive, and with the return come several noticeable quality of life improvements.

Ben Sin, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
Online ad spend from small and medium-sized businesses remained weak in the third quarter without noticeable improvement in the weeks since, management said on an earnings call.

Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 21 Nov. 2024