TAWDRY Synonyms: 147 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of tawdry are flashy , garish , gaudy , and meretricious . While all these words mean "vulgarly or cheaply showy," tawdry applies to what is at once gaudy and cheap and sleazy. // tawdry saloons

Q: When is 'flashy' a more appropriate choice than 'tawdry'?

In some situations, the words flashy and tawdry are roughly equivalent. However, flashy implies an effect of brilliance quickly and easily seen to be shallow or vulgar. // a flashy nightclub act

Q: In what contexts can 'garish' take the place of 'tawdry'?

The meanings of garish and tawdry largely overlap; however, garish describes what is distressingly or offensively bright. // garish neon signs

Q: When is it sensible to use 'gaudy' instead of 'tawdry'?

While in some cases nearly identical to tawdry , gaudy implies a tasteless use of overly bright, often clashing colors or excessive ornamentation. // circus performers in gaudy costumes

Q: When would 'meretricious' be a good substitute for 'tawdry'?

The words meretricious and tawdry can be used in similar contexts, 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

tawdry 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of tawdry next

as in terrible

marked by low quality and unbecoming appearance We tolerate the neighbors' tawdry Christmas display during the holidays, but by January we're about sick of it.

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

tawdry

2 of 2

noun

as in trumpery

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective tawdry contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of tawdry are flashy, garish, gaudy, and meretricious. While all these words mean "vulgarly or cheaply showy," tawdry applies to what is at once gaudy and cheap and sleazy.

tawdry saloons

When is flashy a more appropriate choice than tawdry?

In some situations, the words flashy and tawdry are roughly equivalent. However, flashy implies an effect of brilliance quickly and easily seen to be shallow or vulgar.

a flashy nightclub act

In what contexts can garish take the place of tawdry?

The meanings of garish and tawdry largely overlap; however, garish describes what is distressingly or offensively bright.

garish neon signs

When is it sensible to use gaudy instead of tawdry?

While in some cases nearly identical to tawdry, gaudy implies a tasteless use of overly bright, often clashing colors or excessive ornamentation.

circus performers in gaudy costumes

When would meretricious be a good substitute for tawdry?

The words meretricious and tawdry can be used in similar contexts, 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

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 tawdry

Adjective

Suddenly the guy who used to describe Trump as a dangerous and tawdry charlatan was telling anyone who’d listen that Trump was the only person fit to lead this country. —

Scott Maxwell, Orlando Sentinel, 16 July 2024 But many of Keck’s stories have a bit more of a tawdry twist. —

Michael Schneider, Variety, 9 July 2024 There, viewers were riveted to dramatic livestreamed hearings in February as Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis fought to save her case against Trump from tawdry conflict-of-interest allegations. —

Dan Morrison, USA TODAY, 4 May 2024 Fort Lauderdale’s beachfront strip, as it was known, had become a tawdry embarrassment, Dressler said at the time. —

Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 22 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for tawdry

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tawdry

Adjective

Meanwhile Kelly Oubre, who was terrible with the Warriors, has found success with Philadelphia.

Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024
Elsbeth and Kaya are suspicious of Roselyn, even after Valentina’s quick assessment — supported by the medical examiner — that Claude’s death was a terrible accident.

Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2024