Definition of shownext
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as in to steer
to point out the way for (someone) especially from a position in front showed them the way to get home

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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show

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noun

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as in display
an outward and often exaggerated indication of something abstract (as a feeling) for effect the children made a show of disgust when confronted with asparagus

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of show are display, exhibit, expose, flaunt, and parade. While all these words mean "to present so as to invite notice or attention," show implies no more than enabling another to see or examine.

showed her snapshots to the whole group

When is it sensible to use display instead of show?

The synonyms display and show are sometimes interchangeable, but display emphasizes putting in a position where others may see to advantage.

display sale items

When would exhibit be a good substitute for show?

The meanings of exhibit and show largely overlap; however, exhibit stresses putting forward prominently or openly.

exhibit paintings at a gallery

When might expose be a better fit than show?

The words expose and show can be used in similar contexts, but expose suggests bringing forth from concealment and displaying.

sought to expose the hypocrisy of the town fathers

When can flaunt be used instead of show?

While the synonyms flaunt and show are close in meaning, flaunt suggests a shameless, boastful, often offensive parading.

nouveaux riches flaunting their wealth

Where would parade be a reasonable alternative to show?

Although the words parade and show have much in common, parade implies an ostentatious or arrogant displaying.

parading their piety for all to see

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 show
Verb
Video on social media showed distressed shopkeepers begging young men to stop stealing their inventory—and those young men pushing them aside to grab shoes and food from their shelves. — Jim Edwards, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026 The analysis showed that quantum mechanics does indeed put a speed limit on how quickly different quantum systems can reach a thermal equilibrium. — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2026
Noun
Since dropping the record, he’s kept busy performing, bringing his show on the road, to the BRIT Awards, and to Saturday Night Live. — Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 18 Oct. 2026 When Louise would remember the show decades later, the audience was always so electric that the room exploded into stamping feet and pounding fists. — Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for show
Recent Examples of Synonyms for show
Verb
  • Once everything is organized, PocketWise displays upcoming payments on a subscription calendar and sends renewal reminders before charges are due.
    — StackCommerce Team, PC Magazine, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Blocked from public view for nine years, the mural was finally displayed in 1957.
    — David Hajdu, Vanity Fair, 20 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
Verb
  • The same may not prove true of utility costs where many rate hikes remain pending and a tough winter could cause further spikes.
    — Jordan Blum, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • And while some of the allegations were never proved, he was convicted of perjury and perverting the course of justice and sentenced to four years in jail.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 17 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Acting was his guiding passion, but his deep love for the avant-garde helped till the ground for the city’s theatrical renaissance that the 1984 Olympic Arts Festival catalyzed.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The findings provide a pre-mining benchmark of deep-sea microbial and viral ecosystems to guide future environmental impact assessments.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The Republican incumbent is up against Democrat Gina Hinojosa, an Austin state representative who has focused her campaign on affordability and public education, while largely steering away from social issues.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Oct. 2026
  • On April 8, 2025, the Herald/Times Tallahassee bureau broke the story, reporting that the DeSantis administration had steered Medicaid settlement money toward the Hope Florida Foundation.
    — Christopher Spata, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Companies appearing on the Norrsken/100 included those working on overhauling and strengthening grid capacity and transforming renewables storage.
    — Sophie Dembinski, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
  • When appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon last week, the Canadian pop singer teased the single.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • For now, much of this work is still hypothetical; Pacific Fusion’s campus, of which the demonstration facility is part, is currently under construction at the end of Pacific Fusion Drive.
    — Sarah Scoles, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Learning from human demonstrations offers another way to develop skills by using examples of how a task should be performed.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • People went through the admission and security checkpoints without issues, and the event’s early evening acts enjoyed mostly dry stages with light, intermittent rain.
    — Isabel Rivera, Miami Herald, 18 Oct. 2026
  • To assure further compliance, Section 5 of the act required those states to get approval from the Justice Department or a court before making any changes to their electoral systems.
    — Jeffrey Toobin, The New York Review of Books, 17 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Show.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/show. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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