1
2

Synonym Chooser

How is the word ostentatious different from other adjectives like it?

The words pretentious and showy are common synonyms of ostentatious. While all three words mean "given to excessive outward display," ostentatious stresses vainglorious display or parade.

the ostentatious summer homes of the rich

When is it sensible to use pretentious instead of ostentatious?

The synonyms pretentious and ostentatious 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

When could showy be used to replace ostentatious?

The words showy and ostentatious are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, showy implies an imposing or striking appearance but usually suggests cheapness or poor taste.

the performers' showy costumes

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 ostentatious This was a compact Rolls, meant to be easy to live with, not ostentatious. Raphael Orlove, Robb Report, 27 Feb. 2025 The question is whether the Oscars can simultaneously indulge in its usual ostentatious glitz. Stephen Humphries, The Christian Science Monitor, 18 Feb. 2025 Fiona Crombie’s production design gives the movie an imposing scale (with a Mar-a-Lago vulgarity in the ostentatious décor of the Marshalls’ quarters), though for a project shot by Darius Khondji and screened in IMAX, the visuals are nothing special. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Feb. 2025 Actually, not necessarily so and an ostentatious display of a selection of five new electric vehicles parked in front of the South Portico of the White House improperly mixed the fortunes of Elon Musk and his auto manufacturer with the government. New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 13 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ostentatious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ostentatious
Adjective
  • In a nutshell, this Mango crossbody is trendy without being loud: a balance that will serve you well, especially when paired with a maxi skirt, white sneakers, and a transitional-weather cashmere sweater almost as soft as the item itself.
    Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The sigh of relief heard on Wall Street was almost as loud on Capitol Hill, where GOP lawmakers let out a collective exhale.
    Alex Gangitano, The Hill, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Ava Daniels is a young comedy writer who is unable to find work due to an insensitive tweet and her reputation for being self-centered and arrogant.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • And the villains, of course, exuding every nastily relatable emotion; the stepmothers and sorceresses are vain, arrogant, dismissive, lonely, rude, and outrageous.
    Darren Franich, Vulture, 26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Our emissions are simply too loud, too noisy, and too difficult to remove.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 16 Apr. 2025
  • The resulting truck was so noisy it couldn’t be sold in several states, including California, Florida, and Maryland.
    Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Nithyananda was also grandiose, linking himself to long religious and royal lineages.
    Mujib Mashal, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Incorporate grandiose accents like opulent chandeliers, old-world upholstery, and ornate picture frames.
    Isabella Milano, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Here are the four most extravagant moments of Kravitz's Paris home that took our breath away.
    Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Apr. 2025
  • The fall/winter 2025 collection, the designer's first outing since his starry and extravagant Hamptons showcase just before New York Fashion Week's September kickoff, was an off-calendar show that packed just as much star power as its predecessor.
    Anika Reed, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Buckle up for this globe-trotting, CGI-heavy adventure that combines apocalyptic spectacle and family drama in the least pretentious way possible.
    Travis Bean, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Jimbo, the most ridiculously pretentious egomaniac in rock-star history, seemed so excessive that no actor could play him, but Val Kilmer was up to the task.
    Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Bridges is in a steady rhythm, putting up gaudy offensive numbers despite being one of the main focal points in the opposing team’s scouting report, given the Hornets’ sheer number of injuries.
    Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 15 Mar. 2025
  • While wearing gaudy lime green T-shirts, neon ties sprouting shamrocks with Gaelic sayings, or singing catchy, sentimental tunes, many people also enjoy an Americanized version of the Celtic culture for a day, whether Irish or not.
    Maureen Murphy, Hartford Courant, 14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Nelis renders the professor a pompous and pedantic twit but not a heartless one.
    Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Our rituals and our cassocks are pompous.
    Paul Elie, The New Yorker, 26 Feb. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Ostentatious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ostentatious. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on ostentatious

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!