showstopper
noun
show·stop·per
ˈshō-ˌstä-pər 
1
: an act, song, or performer that wins applause so prolonged as to interrupt a performance
2
: something or someone exceptionally arresting or attractive
the gold crown was the showstopper of the exhibition
3
: one that stops or could stop the progress, operation, or functioning of something
Synonyms
Examples of showstopper in a Sentence
at the modeling agency everyone was a showstopper
Recent Examples on the Web
Wiig’s costumes on the show, which took place in the fictional elite social circle of 1960s Florida, were almost as glamorous as this red carpet showstopper.
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Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 16 Sep. 2024
What follows is the documentary’s first big showstopper sequence, where Gibney cuts together multiple audition tapes for many major Sopranos roles with clips of the final versions of those scenes from the actual show, played by the actors who won each role.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 6 Sep. 2024
The showstopper here is the flaming chorizo, which adds a touch of drama to dinner.
—Caroline Rogers, Southern Living, 13 Sep. 2024
But in the chaotic political landscape of 2024, a simple statement of fact served as the showstopper on Tuesday’s showdown between former President Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.
—Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for showstopper 
Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 16 Sep. 2024
What follows is the documentary’s first big showstopper sequence, where Gibney cuts together multiple audition tapes for many major Sopranos roles with clips of the final versions of those scenes from the actual show, played by the actors who won each role.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 6 Sep. 2024
The showstopper here is the flaming chorizo, which adds a touch of drama to dinner.
—Caroline Rogers, Southern Living, 13 Sep. 2024
But in the chaotic political landscape of 2024, a simple statement of fact served as the showstopper on Tuesday’s showdown between former President Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.
—Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for showstopper
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'showstopper.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Showstopper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/showstopper. Accessed 1 Oct. 2024.
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