Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective gaudy contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of gaudy are flashy, garish, meretricious, and tawdry. While all these words mean "vulgarly or cheaply showy," gaudy implies a tasteless use of overly bright, often clashing colors or excessive ornamentation.

circus performers in gaudy costumes

When could flashy be used to replace gaudy?

The words flashy and gaudy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, flashy implies an effect of brilliance quickly and easily seen to be shallow or vulgar.

a flashy nightclub act

When is garish a more appropriate choice than gaudy?

While in some cases nearly identical to gaudy, garish describes what is distressingly or offensively bright.

garish neon signs

Where would meretricious be a reasonable alternative to gaudy?

The synonyms meretricious and gaudy are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 is it sensible to use tawdry instead of gaudy?

In some situations, the words tawdry and gaudy are roughly equivalent. However, tawdry applies to what is at once gaudy and cheap and sleazy.

tawdry saloons

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 gaudy Even more impressive, on top of his gaudy offensive stats, Eichel is also taking far more defensive-zone starts than most star forwards around the NHL, and is also Vegas’ top penalty-killing forward. Jesse Granger, The Athletic, 15 Jan. 2025 The film begins as Jesús (David Pareja), against the wishes of his wife, María (Estefanía de los Santos), buys a gaudy coffee table. Erik Piepenburg, New York Times, 3 Jan. 2025 All three boast much gaudier statistics than Mahomes, who has made six Pro Bowls since becoming the Chiefs’ starting quarterback in 2018. Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 2 Jan. 2025 Chuy's is also known for its maximalist and gaudy interior design and atmosphere. Beck Andrew Salgado, Austin American-Statesman, 18 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for gaudy 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gaudy
Adjective
  • Roger Goodell Taylor Swift breaks his record for loudest boos received at a Super Bowl. 13.
    Kevin Cusick, Twin Cities, 10 Feb. 2025
  • The controversy grew loud enough that Mackie took to Instagram a few days later to clarify his remarks.
    Zack Sharf, Variety, 10 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • White Noise—The womb is a noisy place, so a white-noise machine, fan, or vacuum can create a familiar, calming background sound.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Feb. 2025
  • The background gets predictably noisy due to the Tiny SE’s small sensor, showing significantly more grain across flat surfaces than the Tiny 2.
    PCMAG, PCMAG, 6 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • With a two-tone black and copper design, the earbuds look stylish without being garish or over the top.
    PCMAG, PCMAG, 5 Feb. 2025
  • Lopez’s Spider Woman gets a bad pixie wig and even more garish goth costuming appropriate for a bewitching, bitchy succubus.
    Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 26 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • While its interior design is less flashy than rivals from Ferrari and Lamborghini, the aesthetic is pleasing, and outward visibility is excellent.
    Eric Stafford, Car and Driver, 6 Jan. 2023
  • If McCarthy falls shorts, that hands leverage to people are every bit as extreme as Greene, though slightly less flashy about it—Andy Biggs, Paul Gosar, and Matt Gaetz.
    Michael Tomasky, The New Republic, 3 Jan. 2023

Thesaurus Entries Near gaudy

Cite this Entry

“Gaudy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gaudy. Accessed 24 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on gaudy

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