OSTENTATIOUS Synonyms: 162 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

ostentatious

adjective

ˌä-stən-ˈtā-shəs

Definition of ostentatious

as in loud

excessively showy wears an ostentatious diamond ring on his little finger

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in arrogant

self-consciously trying to present an appearance of grandeur or importance an ostentatious man who desperately wants to impress people with his newly acquired wealth

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Seattle has all of these in its bar scene—just don’t expect ostentatious VIP rooms, which never fit the vibe of this low-key city. — Mark Dejoy, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 June 2026 There were no ostentatious lobbies, no scene-y pool decks, and no pressure to perform wellness. — Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 5 June 2026 Hyd tries to bring the listener close without being ostentatious. — H.d. Angel, Pitchfork, 2 June 2026 Turner’s character, Declan O’Hara, is a righteous Irish journalist, also loquacious, also hot, but disgusted by ostentatious displays of wealth. — Anna Russell, New Yorker, 1 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for ostentatious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ostentatious

Adjective

They are literally made loud enough to rally troops from a long distance.

— Brian Moylan, Vulture, 19 Aug. 2026
The actual blast of the ram’s horn is loud, but not loud enough to rouse me from my stress blackout.

— Risa Polansky Shiman, Sun Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of loud

Adjective

As such, there is a tendency among such countries to view Europeans as arrogant and self-serving, perhaps even neo-colonialist, with a desire to at least maintain, or maybe even strengthen, their position of power.

— Simon Chadwick, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
James, Lord Dalhousie, the arrogant and ruthless Governor General of British India, who had long coveted the riches of Punjab and the Koh-i-Noor, was triumphant.

— Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of arrogant

Adjective

The central location comes with a touch of weekend bustle—Big Bear Boulevard can get noisy—but the trade-off for walkability is worth it.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026
This impending surge in lunar traffic makes time-sensitive missions like CosmoCube crucial to capturing the universe’s earliest faint signals before the quietest sanctuary in the solar system becomes noisy.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of noisy

Adjective

The city is grandiose enough that there are even ways for filmmakers to put their own spin on its more conventional sights and sounds.

— Whitney Friedlander, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Serra’s immersive event, a rapture of colors and shadows, pays fittingly grandiose tribute to an emissary of a legendary cinematic era.

— Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of grandiose

Adjective

Beyond gaudy numbers and a long scroll of awards and achievements, Nelson was one of the most colorful and compelling coaches to grace the Bay Area in any professional sport.

— Carl Steward, Mercury News, 9 Aug. 2026
The subsidy headlined a gaudy incentive package offering property and sales tax exemptions, discount electricity and payments for infrastructure in exchange for about 9,000 jobs.

— Mark Dee August 2, Idaho Statesman, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of gaudy

Adjective

By applying a jammy, near-Baduist flow to the sequencing, Zay can cogently dissect 10 ideas in one three-minute song without sounding crowded or, worse, pretentious.

— Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 29 July 2026
The Majestic espouses a traditional luxury hotel style without feeling stuffy or pretentious.

— Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 7 July 2026

Definition of pretentious

Adjective

Does little Arabella care about going to another stuffy awards dinner with her pompous dad?

— David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 17 July 2026
Among them a City boy wearing three Fit-Bit-type devices, two beautiful Middle Eastern sisters, an outrageously pompous elderly American (sorry; eavesdropping), and several Imelda Marcos lookalikes, tottering out of the treatment rooms with, somehow, their elaborate hairstyles still intact.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026

Definition of pompous

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“Ostentatious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ostentatious. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of ostentatious

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