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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

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 The workaround is to book out an entire couchette of four Pullman beds retractable into facing seats covered by the garish '90s fabric that seems to upholster all public transport here. —

Kurt Johnson, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Sep. 2024 While a Daiquiri is snappy, the Daisy de Santiago is garish. —

Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 8 Aug. 2024 Gizelle and Ashley — two of the tackiest ladies on a cast full of ASOS discount pulls and garish designer accessories — starting what seems to be an attempt at a couture athleisure line? —

Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2024 These modes are brighter but can sometimes look garish. —

Ryan Waniata, WIRED, 12 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for garish

Recent Examples of Synonyms for garish

Adjective

The keyboard's scissor-switch mechanisms are nearly soundless affairs and a welcome contrast to the loud clacking of a mechanical keyboard.

PCMAG, PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024
Throughout the building there are also devices that measure audio levels and can even pinpoint which individual fans are the loudest.

Andrew Greif, NBC News, 6 Nov. 2024