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

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.

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tawdry

2 of 2

noun

as in trumpery

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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

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 tawdry

Adjective

And there’s something offensively tawdry that all of this is in mere service of extracting rent. — James Folta, Literary Hub, 12 Mar. 2026 Shane, whose run in All Out at the Nederlander Theater ends March 8, took some time to show Condé Nast Traveler some of his favorite Manhattan haunts—from a five-star hotel to a tawdry nightclub to the first brow aesthetician that put him at ease. — Charlie Hobbs, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Mar. 2026 Recovery has scarcely begun, but insult is being added to fire victims’ injuries as local officials — especially Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass — engage in a tawdry game of finger-pointing. — Dan Walters, Oc Register, 4 Mar. 2026 Jones envisioned the show as more light-hearted than those of her competitors, weaving comedy skits and bawdy humor in with the tawdry affairs of her guests. — Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tawdry

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tawdry

Adjective

His teams are terrible just before halftime, having been outscored 107-6 in the coach's 24 games.

— Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2026
If the purpose of buying a suit were merely obtaining clothing, three fittings would be terrible service.

— Anna van Praagh, Robb Report, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of terrible

Adjective

Disease that has spread to those organs is associated with poorer treatment outcomes.

— Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026
They were frustrated with teacher shortages and poor conditions at schools, including overcrowded classrooms and dilapidated buildings.

— James Cirrone , Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of poor

Adjective

Happy peasants, miserable millionaires Graham first spotted the pattern in China.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
That and the two uniquely miserable Atlanta seasons under Morris’ guidance would normally be enough to gin up some bad feelings among the masses.

— Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of miserable

Noun

Kate Middleton and Prince William, Princess Anne and Sir Timothy Laurence, and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester all donned their white tie finery for the Windsor Castle event.

— Stephanie Bridger-Linning, Vanity Fair, 25 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of finery

Adjective

Zhang and his colleagues theorize that this reaction might help plants avoid pathogens, similar to the way unpleasant smells help animals steer clear of rotten food.

— Joanna Thompson, Scientific American, 17 Oct. 2026
Sometimes your potatoes will be not be super clean with little sprouts and little rotten bits that need to be cut off.

— Andy Baraghani, Bon Appetit Magazine, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of rotten

Noun

For many Americans who don’t celebrate Christmas, sitting out the foofaraw while the whole country conducts Christmas consumption is an annual dose of alienation.

— Amanda Mull, The Atlantic, 23 Nov. 2020
What was Anne Boleyn up to while this whole Charles Brandon foofaraw was happening in England?

— Anne Thériault, Longreads, 25 May 2018

Definition of foofaraw

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

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Synonyms of tawdry

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noun

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