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
Aside from the team information, shown below is each game’s rating, the probability of the favorite winning, the median score for each team and the median margin of victory for the favorite. Loren Maxwell, AJC.com, 12 Aug. 2026 That came in 2014-15, in a year where the richest opportunistically pilfered a couple of less wealthy clubs who had shown themselves highly adept at scouting and youth development. Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2026
Noun
Clearly unsatisfied with relying on Matt as a victim, the show is already delivering a new one. Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2026 After airing the show’s season finale in June, Hacks has broken Emmy records with 24 nominations for season 5, the most ever for a comedy series in a single year. Glenn Garner, Deadline, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for show
Recent Examples of Synonyms for show
Verb
  • Gas prices are displayed at a Valero gas station on July 21, 2026 in Austin, Texas.
    Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Rural locations showed little change, while cities outside the path — even those that experienced a very deep partial solar eclipse — did not display the same seismic pattern.
    Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • In his post-match press conference after City beat Atletico Madrid 3-1 on Sunday, Maresca revealed that Omar Marmoush is in a similar position.
    Sam Lee, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The Supreme Court has recognized that phone location records can reveal far more than movement.
    Nicole M. Bennett, The Conversation, 11 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • But if Murray proves a strong match with O’Connell and Justin Jefferson, this team will be difficult to beat.
    Jacob Robinson, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Gen immediately proves Aesha right by hoping the next guests are more demanding so cracks will show.
    Emma Soren, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Storch makes no secret of his hopes to eventually guide Wednesday back to the Premier League, but this summer has taught him that will be a long road.
    Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Will Howard, a sixth-round pick last year, guided the Steelers to a touchdown while deftly operating the 2-minute offense.
    CBS News, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Zhu steered China’s economic policy for more than a decade since the early 1990s, first as a vice premier and then the premier under late leader Jiang Zemin, who died in late 2022.
    CNN Staff, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The onshore breeze will steer storms to the west later on Tuesday.
    Lissette Gonzalez, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Mathers was set to appear for sentencing on Thursday for the February case and a probable cause conference in the May case.
    DeJanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • But those concerns didn’t stop groups of Catholics from joining a recent joyous pilgrimage on Mount Tabor, where the Gospels say Jesus appeared transfigured alongside the Jewish prophets Moses and Elijah.
    ABC News, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Rapid development Raytheon and CET reached the sea demonstration in less than 18 months.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 11 Aug. 2026
  • With rapid adoption in China and growing interest worldwide, humanoid robotics are moving from specialized demonstrations to scalable commercial goods.
    Chuck Brooks, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Player development is not an exact science and bringing him along at the right speed will be a delicate balancing act for Alonso, amplified by the pressure to keep piling up Premier League points.
    Matt Pyzdrowski, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The reissue includes more than half a dozen additional smashes from the Grammy-winning act, and fans of the group and those tunes in particular have turned the collection into not only a bestseller, but a top 10 success for the very first time.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Show.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/show. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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