ostentation
noun
os·ten·ta·tion
ˌä-stən-ˈtā-shən 
1
: excessive display : vain and unnecessary show especially for the purpose of attracting attention, admiration, or envy : pretentiousness
She dresses stylishly without ostentation.
an aesthetic preference for function over ostentation—
Wendell Garrett
Wendell Garretttheir ostentation of new wealth and their prodigality with it—Mark Sullivan
Mark Sullivan2
archaic
: an act of displaying
Synonyms
Examples of ostentation in a Sentence
The actress avoids ostentation. She owns a small house and drives an inexpensive car.
He writes simply and clearly and without ostentation.
Recent Examples on the Web
As the country continues to grapple with high youth unemployment and troubles in its real estate market, some Chinese shoppers are turning away from ostentation amid the economic uncertainty.
—Ernestine Siu, CNBC, 16 July 2024
Though it may be overstated, ostentation is part of what makes the genre a culturally distinct global phenomenon.
—Julian Randall, Essence, 24 May 2024
While Hand of God shimmered with the director’s memories of his youth, the deeply personal nature and intimacy of that film are drowned here by ostentation.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 May 2024
Philippe Starck, Louis Ghost Chair, 2002 Modern design in Europe and the United States was largely a reaction to the ostentation that came before it, particularly among royalty and other privileged households.
—Evan Moffitt, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ostentation 
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Ernestine Siu, CNBC, 16 July 2024
Though it may be overstated, ostentation is part of what makes the genre a culturally distinct global phenomenon.
—Julian Randall, Essence, 24 May 2024
While Hand of God shimmered with the director’s memories of his youth, the deeply personal nature and intimacy of that film are drowned here by ostentation.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 May 2024
Philippe Starck, Louis Ghost Chair, 2002 Modern design in Europe and the United States was largely a reaction to the ostentation that came before it, particularly among royalty and other privileged households.
—Evan Moffitt, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ostentation
Dictionary Entries Near ostentation
Cite this Entry
“Ostentation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ostentation. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ostentation
noun
os·ten·ta·tion
ˌäs-tən-ˈtā-shən
: unnecessary show to attract attention, admiration, or envy
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