GARISH Synonyms: 62 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'garish' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of garish are flashy , gaudy , meretricious , and tawdry . While all these words mean "vulgarly or cheaply showy," garish describes what is distressingly or offensively bright. // garish neon signs

Q: When might 'flashy' be a better fit than 'garish'?

While the synonyms flashy and garish are close in meaning, flashy implies an effect of brilliance quickly and easily seen to be shallow or vulgar. // a flashy nightclub act

Q: Where would 'gaudy' be a reasonable alternative to 'garish'?

The meanings of gaudy and garish largely overlap; however, gaudy implies a tasteless use of overly bright, often clashing colors or excessive ornamentation. // circus performers in gaudy costumes

Q: When can 'meretricious' be used instead of 'garish'?

Although the words meretricious and garish have much in common, meretricious stresses falsity and may describe a tawdry show that beckons with a false allure or promise. // a meretricious wasteland of casinos and bars

Q: When could 'tawdry' be used to replace 'garish'?

While in some cases nearly identical to garish , tawdry applies to what is at once gaudy and cheap and sleazy. // tawdry saloons

garish

adjective

ˈger-ish

Definition of garish next

as in loud

excessively showy the wedding guest's thick makeup was garish and unnecessary

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How does the adjective garish contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of garish are flashy, gaudy, meretricious, and tawdry. While all these words mean "vulgarly or cheaply showy," garish describes what is distressingly or offensively bright.

garish neon signs

When might flashy be a better fit than garish?

While the synonyms flashy and garish are close in meaning, flashy implies an effect of brilliance quickly and easily seen to be shallow or vulgar.

a flashy nightclub act

Where would gaudy be a reasonable alternative to garish?

The meanings of gaudy and garish largely overlap; however, gaudy implies a tasteless use of overly bright, often clashing colors or excessive ornamentation.

circus performers in gaudy costumes

When can meretricious be used instead of garish?

Although the words meretricious and garish have much in common, meretricious stresses falsity and may describe a tawdry show that beckons with a false allure or promise.

a meretricious wasteland of casinos and bars

When could tawdry be used to replace garish?

While in some cases nearly identical to garish, tawdry applies to what is at once gaudy and cheap and sleazy.

tawdry saloons

Examples 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 garish Watch on Max Scream The meta horror movie to end all other meta horror movies, the original Scream might have outgrown some of its more garish fashions (most of them worn by Courteney Cox’s Gayle Weathers), but the story is still solid. —

Jennifer M. Wood, WIRED, 25 Oct. 2024 In addition to exploring visceral, garish and dreamlike worlds, IO finds herself along the quest. —

Bryan West, USA TODAY, 10 Oct. 2024 Something is amiss when the garish and grotesque displays go up earlier and get uglier every year even as people’s belief in their religious purpose fades. —

Fr. Donald Planty, National Review, 6 Oct. 2024 Georgie’s cake is equally garish and brilliant and inspired by her auntie’s bathroom, which had a carpet and, most likely, one of those little dolls with a crocheted skirt to hold an extra roll of toilet paper. —

Brian Moylan, Vulture, 15 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for garish

Recent Examples of Synonyms for garish

Adjective

Mangione’s previous appearance in court included a loud outburst when he was lead into the building, but this morning’s proceedings went quietly and Mangione seemed in good spirits.

Baltimore Sun staff, Baltimore Sun, 19 Dec. 2024
However, Pentagon spokesperson Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder dismissed these claims, stating that the drones are unlikely involved in intelligence gathering due to their loud and bright nature.

Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024