gaudy

adjective

ˈgȯ-dē How to pronounce gaudy (audio)
Definition of gaudynext
as in loud
excessively showy gaudy decorations on all the doors and windows at festival time

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Each followed the social media account of a 35-year-old former Dartmouth College running back with a degree in economics and a gaudy ring on his finger. — Mike Sando, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2026 When receiver Cooper Barkate accompanied quarterback Darian Mensah from Duke to UM last winter, there was never any expectation that Barkate would match his gaudy statistics from a year ago. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2026 Yannick Nézet-Séguin nudges the orchestra’s warmth and saturation into territory that, if not quite gaudy, is certainly gala-worthy, privileging vibrancy over darkness. — Justin Davidson, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2026 Though his numbers aren't gaudy with only three career regular-season interceptions and one in the postseason, Gonzalez is a critical piece of the New England defense. — Matt Schooley, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gaudy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gaudy
  1. loud
  2. noisy
  3. garish
  4. flashy
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
  • Today, the 31-year-old is sneakily skilled in ways beyond classical picking or noisy shredding.
    — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 21 Oct. 2026
  • In the parking garage, the animals were unfazed by noisy construction and enthusiastic fans.
    — Sarah Larson, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of noisy
Adjective
  • There’s nothing off limits here, nothing too garish to clash with saxophone and strings.
    — Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The result, beyond being a lie, is often cheap, garish, and conspicuous.
    — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of garish
Adjective
  • Not everything that gets picked as a Gear of the Year winner is some flashy piece of techy kitchen equipment.
    — Editors of Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Oct. 2026
  • In 2027, Whatnot predicts that the Y2K revival will be even flashier than before.
    — Kanika Talwar, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of flashy

Browse Nearby Words

gauds
gaudy
gauge
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Cite this Entry

“Gaudy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gaudy. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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