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

as in noticeable

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

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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

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 showy While the punk rock scene that spawned them was about overthrowing the bloated rock royalty of the ‘60s and mid-‘70s, punk was still showy and flamboyant; Joy Division were nothing of the sort. — Jem Aswad, Variety, 25 Sep. 2026 Although garden mums are considered hardy to Zone 5, breeders have developed fall mums with big mounds of showy flowers that may not be as cold-hardy as in the past. — Lynn Coulter, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Sep. 2026 Alliums Many people are surprised to find out that our good old culinary onion (Allium cepa) has a tremendous number of very showy cousins that are grown as ornamental bulbs. — Paul Cappeillo, Louisville Courier Journal, 11 Sep. 2026 Watch for showy red and burgundy leaves in the fall, architectural interest in the winter, yellow-green catkins in the spring, and a dense green canopy in the summer. — The Spruce, 8 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for showy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for showy

Adjective

The research fellow also argued that the additional Russian diesel entering global markets is not sufficient to produce a noticeable reduction in consumer fuel prices in the short term.

— Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2026
The brand's emblem, which is incorporated into the translucent monoblock LED taillight beneath the seat and is sculpted by the bike's lights themselves, is the most noticeable of all Fragment elements.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of noticeable

Adjective

Perhaps the only prominent Ukrainian who has demanded a wartime election is Fedorov, the former defense minister who elicited the comment about Starshield from Musk.

— Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2026
Mandell’s wife, Elizabeth Heller Mandell, a gallery owner, nonprofit consultant and arts patron from a prominent California family, predeceased him, leaving him in a position to extend her philanthropic work.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of prominent

Adjective

Another image showed Fox reclining beneath the same dramatic lighting in a metallic two-piece swimsuit.

— Danielle Minnetian, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Baylor’s big quiet concern Baylor’s McLane Stadium is the centerpiece of a dramatic redesign that gives the city of Waco a visible lift that does nothing but help morale, for the university, students and residents.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of dramatic

Adjective

That Langley’s song has resonated to this extent without hardly any remixes or chart-boosting gimmicks makes the classic-meets-contemporary song all the more impressive.

— Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 14 Oct. 2026
Flaco the owl became a celebrity Central Park resident, with breathless news coverage of Flaco’s impressive self-preservation skills and, eventually, mournful obituaries when Flaco died after flying into a building.

— Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of impressive

Adjective

In addition to the grisly injury, the nearly translucent bone itself makes this evidence even more striking.

— Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 15 Oct. 2026
Other suites are even more striking, covered from head to toe in a flora wallpaper and bright, colorful custom furniture.

— Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of striking

Adjective

The CEOs of Shell, TotalEnergies, BP, and ExxonMobil had all been due to attend this week’s WPEC but are conspicuous by their absence.

— Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2026
Separate flights were arranged, with Machado traveling separately from some members of the group and the journalists in an effort to make her movements less conspicuous.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of conspicuous

Browse Nearby Words

show up (for)

showy

shrank

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

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Synonyms of showy

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