1
as in pageant
an elaborate, visually exciting show or event the multimedia spectacles that have become established parts of the opening and closing ceremonies for the Olympic Games

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in glass
spectacles plural a pair of lenses set in a frame that is held in place with ear supports and which are usually worn to correct vision bought a pair of spectacles with nonprescription lenses simply to look more intelligent

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 spectacle Because whatever was happening behind the scenes—whether control, coercion, or complicity—what played out in public was something else: a spectacle designed to dominate the conversation. Jessie Candlin, Newsweek, 4 Feb. 2025 Their vibe could not be more different than the spectacle that preceded them. Kyle Feldscher, CNN, 4 Feb. 2025 Another video, recorded by Tanya Renz of Mazomanie, Wisconsin, captured the spectacle as well. Tariq Malik, Space.com, 29 Jan. 2025 The film doesn’t paint him as a cautionary tale, treat him like a metaphor, or revel in the spectacle of his struggles. Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 24 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for spectacle 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spectacle
Noun
  • Marla, his second, hosted the Miss Universe pageant.
    Dan Alexander, Forbes, 1 Feb. 2025
  • Miss Congeniality, a movie about a fake beauty pageant contestant, hits the streaming site on Feb. 1, while a movie about a real beauty pageant, Miss Italia Mustn't Die, comes out on Feb. 26.
    Olivia B. Waxman, TIME, 1 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • When that happens, the foreground galaxy acts like a magnifying glass, and gravity causes the traveling light rays to bend.
    Greg Wehner, Fox News, 11 Feb. 2025
  • The ground floor of the tranquil retreat was designed to host large groups with an open living and dining area and floor-to-ceiling glass doors that invite natural light to flood in.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 11 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Thomas reasoned that the museum hadn’t guided its staff properly in how to implement Trump’s executive order, and assured reporters the exhibit had been uncovered since.
    The Editors of ARTnews, ARTnews.com, 11 Feb. 2025
  • Explanatory poster-sized signs are placed throughout the exhibit, covering the history of the house and the Clemens family’s attraction to Hartford.
    Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 9 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The winning proposal includes an exhibition hall, a 500-room hotel, a 3,000-seat theater, 10 restaurants and 4,000 gaming positions — twice that of any other casino in the state.
    Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2025
  • The pre-sale exhibition, also in Diriyah, saw almost 2,500 visitors and the panel discussions more than 700 people.
    George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 10 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • NBCUniversal is slated to broadcast the event in 2026 and is likely to try to create packages that include the football spectacular, the Winter Olympics and the NBA All-Star Game.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 29 Jan. 2025
  • Performing at Long Island’s UBS Arena on Tuesday (Dec. 31), Joel’s end-of-year spectacular was a special for one for numerous reasons.
    Tyler Jenke, Billboard, 3 Sep. 2019
Noun
  • Christina Haack's 3 Marriages: A Look At Her Relationships With Exes Tarek El Moussa, Ant Anstead and Josh Hall The end of Haack’s most recent relationship is put on full display in her new HGTV series, The Flip Off, which aired its series premiere on Wednesday, Jan. 29.
    Luke Chinman, People.com, 2 Feb. 2025
  • The latest anti-American display took place at the Scotiabank Arena before the Toronto Raptors took on the Los Angeles Clippers.
    Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 2 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • How to Watch the Grammys Red Carpet The Grammys’ red carpet extravaganza will stream on live.GRAMMY.com and YouTube.
    Pitchfork, Pitchfork, 2 Feb. 2025
  • The six-game extravaganza, which tipped off at noon, featured seven schools in The Times’ Top 25 rankings and the finale had the most at stake, with both squads looking to earn a bye and two days off in the Mission League tournament, which opens Sunday.
    Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 2 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Spectacle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spectacle. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.

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