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

Relevance

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 The production design was suitably gaudy. — Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 21 Feb. 2025 While wearing gaudy lime green T-shirts, neon ties sprouting shamrocks with Gaelic sayings, or singing catchy, sentimental tunes, many people also enjoy an Americanized version of the Celtic culture for a day, whether Irish or not. — Maureen Murphy, Hartford Courant, 14 Mar. 2025 Instead of orange-leaning oak cabinets with gaudy gold hardware, opt for wood materials such as white oak or pine, clean-lines, and sleek hardware. — Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Mar. 2025 My proclivity to shop is surprising to no one, least of all me, but what was surprising was that I had been influenced by a TV show that is, on its face, about the sweaty, masculine, occasionally gaudy world of professional basketball. — Sam Reed, Glamour, 28 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for gaudy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gaudy
  1. loud
  2. noisy
  3. garish
  4. flashy
Adjective
  • In a nutshell, this Mango crossbody is trendy without being loud: a balance that will serve you well, especially when paired with a maxi skirt, white sneakers, and a transitional-weather cashmere sweater almost as soft as the item itself.
    — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The sigh of relief heard on Wall Street was almost as loud on Capitol Hill, where GOP lawmakers let out a collective exhale.
    — Alex Gangitano, The Hill, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of loud
Adjective
  • Our emissions are simply too loud, too noisy, and too difficult to remove.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 16 Apr. 2025
  • The resulting truck was so noisy it couldn’t be sold in several states, including California, Florida, and Maryland.
    — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of noisy
Adjective
  • But there’s plenty new, including an Alpine touchscreen display that, to my eye, looks a bit garish hanging off that dash, but it’s connected to a sublime Focal sound system.
    — Tim Stevens, Robb Report, 12 Mar. 2025
  • And Susie Cullen’s production design turns typical markers of a fine-dining environment — windowless bathroom stalls; orange mood lighting; a stoic staff — into elements of a garish nightmare.
    — Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of garish
Adjective
  • Transparent — these see-through beauts with wrap-up ankle straps are in a league of their own, saying a lot without ever appearing too flashy.
    — Stacia Datskovska, WWD, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Amid the classic, flashy film and television premieres this week at SXSW, the festival also offered a forum for burgeoning creators to showcase their work in the Independent TV Pilot Program.
    — Katie Campione, Deadline, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of flashy

Browse Nearby Words

gauds
gaudy
gauge
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gaudy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gaudy. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on gaudy

Nglish: Translation of gaudy for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Words in Disguise: Do these seem familiar?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)

'Blue Moon,' 'Wolf Moon,' and Other Moons to Look for Throughout the Year
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
name that thing flower edition
Name That Flower Can you tell the difference between a lilac and a...
See All