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Definition of displaynext
1
as in exhibit
a public showing of objects of interest a display of paintings by masters of French Impressionism

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in demonstration
an outward and often exaggerated indication of something abstract (as a feeling) for effect a display of sympathy that was totally phony

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word display different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of display are exhibit, expose, flaunt, parade, and show. While all these words mean "to present so as to invite notice or attention," display emphasizes putting in a position where others may see to advantage.

display sale items

When is exhibit a more appropriate choice than display?

While the synonyms exhibit and display are close in meaning, exhibit stresses putting forward prominently or openly.

exhibit paintings at a gallery

Where would expose be a reasonable alternative to display?

The synonyms expose and display are sometimes interchangeable, but expose suggests bringing forth from concealment and displaying.

sought to expose the hypocrisy of the town fathers

When is it sensible to use flaunt instead of display?

Although the words flaunt and display have much in common, flaunt suggests a shameless, boastful, often offensive parading.

nouveaux riches flaunting their wealth

When could parade be used to replace display?

The meanings of parade and display largely overlap; however, parade implies an ostentatious or arrogant displaying.

parading their piety for all to see

When would show be a good substitute for display?

In some situations, the words show and display are roughly equivalent. However, show implies no more than enabling another to see or examine.

showed her snapshots to the whole group

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 display
Noun
With the immersive technology of New World Center on full display, Stéphane pairs Stravinsky’s ballet burlesque with Ravel and Collette’s opera. — Mike Hamersly, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2026 EarthSky notes that enhanced displays occurred in 2008, 2015 and 2022, when Earth encountered concentrations of larger debris within the stream. — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 12 Oct. 2026
Verb
The Edge can display in-workout metrics and pace targets, heart rate zones for HIIT intervals, and other live figures to show you how your training is going. — New Atlas, 13 Oct. 2026 Most notably, in 2024, one of her titles was displayed on a digital billboard in Times Square. — Snigdha Poonam, The Dial, 13 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for display
Recent Examples of Synonyms for display
Noun
  • Temporary exhibits have ranged from a look at American paintings in the 1930s to French art critic Guillaume Apollinaire.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The exhibit was recognition of Cole's success attracting younger fans who enjoy such shenanigans as a pitcher throwing the ball while on stilts and outs being counted when a fan catches a foul ball in the stands.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Fries are the single most convincing demonstration of what tallow does.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 12 Oct. 2026
  • His international demonstrations between winning gold and silver swimming medals at the 1912, 1920 and 1924 Olympics made surfing widely known.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • But a few months later, at her 18-month appointment, the standard graph that plotted a child’s weight against their age showed her weight slipping off the curve.
    — Raj Panjabi, Time, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Two innings later, the Dodgers took the lead again, rewarded for hard contact as the Brewers’ defense showed its first signs of sloppy play.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The extra baggage negates the weightlessness, revealing a more flawed and earthbound iteration of the band.
    — Gabriel Szatan, Pitchfork, 18 Oct. 2026
  • When scandals are revealed, teams and leagues with close ties to gambling companies are accused of hypocrisy.
    — Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Adebayo and most of the Heat’s rotation regulars were held out of Saturday’s exhibition against the Timberwolves before Adebayo sat out Wednesday’s preseason game due to his groin ailment.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The exhibition layout, conceived by French designer Pascal Rodriguez, unfolds across four successive spaces, separated by partition walls pierced by large circular openings at their centers.
    — Sarah Belmont for ArtNews, Robb Report, 14 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Creative endeavor, in the space of a few hours, flashes its many faces, arduous and sexy, fleeting and fun.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Despite credit markets flashing warnings, equity holders essentially just stood there.
    — Michael Khouw, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The improvement demonstrates how low-noise lasers and high-quality optical resonators can increase rotation sensitivity on a photonic chip.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Their accounts demonstrate how AI is blurring the line between what's real and what's fake in the already fraught arena of online dating.
    — Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The 42nd edition of the Warsaw International Film Festival is wrapping up on Sunday after its winners were unveiled during a Saturday night awards ceremony.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 18 Oct. 2026
  • When Tesla first unveiled its second-generation Roadster in November 2017, flying wasn’t part of the pitch.
    — Bilin Lin, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Display.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/display. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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