FLASHY Synonyms: 106 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of flashy are garish , gaudy , meretricious , and tawdry . While all these words mean "vulgarly or cheaply showy," flashy implies an effect of brilliance quickly and easily seen to be shallow or vulgar. // a flashy nightclub act

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

Although the words garish and flashy have much in common, garish describes what is distressingly or offensively bright. // garish neon signs

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

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

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

The synonyms meretricious and flashy 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

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

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

flashy

adjective

ˈfla-shē

Definition of flashy

as in stylish

attractively eye-catching in style I bought a flashy new car as soon as I got my first paycheck

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in loud

excessively showy wore flashy rings on almost all the fingers of his left hand

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective flashy contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of flashy are garish, gaudy, meretricious, and tawdry. While all these words mean "vulgarly or cheaply showy," flashy implies an effect of brilliance quickly and easily seen to be shallow or vulgar.

a flashy nightclub act

When can garish be used instead of flashy?

Although the words garish and flashy have much in common, garish describes what is distressingly or offensively bright.

garish neon signs

When is it sensible to use gaudy instead of flashy?

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

circus performers in gaudy costumes

When might meretricious be a better fit than flashy?

The synonyms meretricious and flashy 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 would tawdry be a good substitute for flashy?

In some situations, the words tawdry and flashy 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 flashy Nearly a decade after Tesla first announced its second-generation Roadster, the company debuted the car in a flashy demo that seemed to challenge the laws of physics. — Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026 Love burned through the cash on luxury cars, designer jewelry, and flashy vacations to keep up the appearance of wealth for his next target. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026 The Brewers, Rays and Guardians aren’t the flashiest of teams. — Isaac Tellechea, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026 Postwar Hiroshima was a popular setting for these movie gangsters, who fought dirty, had no use for the old ceremonies, and wore flashy suits and aviator shades. — Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for flashy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for flashy

Adjective

DeMellier’s founder, Mireia Llusia-Lindh, tapped the residential architect Nicolas Schuybroek to create a space that felt like a stylish home with vintage furniture, photography and architecture books and original work by female artists.

— Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2026
Specializing in a stylish suite of KD55 showerhead filters, the brand has recently been picked up by leading UK retailer Boots.

— Tracy Achonwa, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of stylish

Adjective

Police described the Nissan as having black wheels, a black rear bumper and a loud exhaust.

— Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 21 Oct. 2026
The oil-rich province of Alberta has rejected the pathway to secession and will remain part of Canada, landing a definitive blow to a fringe but loud campaign which sought support from the US.

— Max Saltman, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of loud

Adjective

On the plus side, the new snazzy ship has made Le Lyrial more affordable in comparison.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026
Danny Boyle adopts a similar strategy with this snazzy screen adaptation, shot through with kinetic energy, convulsive editing and a liberal sprinkling of post-punk, electro-pop and indie rock that thumbs its nose at period accuracy.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of snazzy

Adjective

There has, however, been at least one particularly fashionable crossover.

— Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2026
Suiting has taken a turn within the last few years as men, from athletes to actors, are stepping into their most fashionable eras, embracing color and texture.

— Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of fashionable

Adjective

In another, Asia Argento, in the gaudy finery of Madame du Barry, reads the palms of her co-stars during a break in filming.

— Radhika Seth, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026
Nirvana is commonly credited with killing off hair metal, driving the final nail in the gaudy coffin of the 1980s and ushering in a new era of angst and authenticity.

— Reed Jackson, SPIN, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of gaudy

Adjective

Alan Ritchson’s sci-fi movie War Machine and the splashy book adaptation Remarkably Bright Creatures were two of Lin’s early greenlights, and came out in February and May, respectively.

— Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2026
While the main event was obviously the splashy spectacle, the official VS after-party (at Chateau Marmont) was just as star-studded.

— Christian Allaire, Vogue, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of splashy

Adjective

Before the main event kicked off, however, the glitzy Academy Gala red carpet saw all of these A-listers bring out their finest evening attire for the night.

— Christian Allaire, Vogue, 18 Oct. 2026
As other companies dodge the Grand Theft Auto juggernaut by avoiding the November release window, Nintendo's wholesome throwback is poised to stand out against the glitzy violence of Grand Theft Auto.

— James Perkins Mastromarino, NPR, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of glitzy

Browse Nearby Words

flash points

flashy

flask

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Style

“Flashy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flashy. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of flashy

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