1
as in to horse around
to engage in attention-getting playful or boisterous behavior
the athletes warmed up, happily showing off for the crowd before the match officially started
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in to display
to present so as to invite notice or attention
she just wants to show off her new jewelry
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in hotshot
informal + disapproving
a person who tries to impress other people with his or her abilities or possessions
Related Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of show off
Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 27 Apr. 2026
According to the rescue, Dug likes to show off his skills by lifting his front paws while sitting.
—Our Companions, Hartford Courant, 26 Apr. 2026
Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 11 May 2025
Otherwise, this is a visually stunning chassis that will satisfy patient-building component show-offs.
—PCMAG, 1 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for show off
Verb
Reading as a hobby is still a tradition that is alive and well, and the French love showing off their bookshelf wealth.
—Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 27 Apr. 2026
According to the rescue, Dug likes to show off his skills by lifting his front paws while sitting.
—Our Companions, Hartford Courant, 26 Apr. 2026
Noun
In This Article Take It Easy With Greens Pick a Combo With Staying Power
Rely On Dependable Winners
The Three Rules of Container TLC
These summer show-off container gardens will brighten up any porch or patio all season long—even in the Southern heat.
—Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 11 May 2025
Otherwise, this is a visually stunning chassis that will satisfy patient-building component show-offs.
—PCMAG, 1 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for show off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for show off
Verb
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Bevel was horsing around with the Reverend James Orange and Andy Young in the courtyard under King's balcony, according to Orange.—
Gail Sheehy,
Vanity Fair,
20 Feb. 2026
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But Andrew continued to live at the home and was often seen riding his horse around Windsor Great Park and photographed waving to crowds.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Mata was also concerned about how the data failed to display how INA staff works with the lowest English proficiency students in the district — specifically those who are unschooled, and oftentimes refugees who have just entered the country.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Apr. 2026
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The Pennsylvania Governor could be seen bustling around his office, being sure to display all of his Eagles gear to prepare for the mystery visit.—
Kaitlyn McCormick,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The Waves’ young hotshot, Dyson Gibbs (Uche Agada), steps on the toes of the team’s longtime star, Marcus Winfield (Toby Sandeman).—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Apr. 2026
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The original film, which followed Cruise as the hotshot fighter pilot, was released in 1986.—
Saba Hamedy,
NBC news,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The new congressional map in Virginia effectively cuts up the state’s 11 House districts to give Democrats an advantage in 10 of them.—
Joseph Konig,
PEOPLE,
22 Apr. 2026
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The Gates Foundation plans to cut up to 500 jobs, or about 20% of its staff, in the coming years as part of a long-term restructuring, as the foundation also undergoes an external review of its ties to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein.—
Brittany Miller,
FOXNews.com,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Many fans came to show their support for the third-year forward, whom the Sky traded to the Dream on April 6 for two future first-round draft picks.—
Kalen Lumpkins,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Game 5 showed two things at once.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The wise guys already view Denver suspiciously, casting them with the 12th-best odds to reach the Super Bowl next February.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
1 Feb. 2026
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Framing wise guys on murder charges for Whitey Bulger, looking the other way on a gangland hit by a BPD detective in Canton in 1976, the list of scandals is too great to even list them all.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Another horny couple on vacation couldn’t wait until their flight landed to fool around and insisted on doing so in the plane's cabin.—
Sean Joseph OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
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And this fool is taking it with the fools around him.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Court exhibit But that, too, Casteleiro argued, was tainted.—
Mary Murphy,
CBS News,
26 Apr. 2026
-
However, conventional electrolysis systems suffer from limitations due to the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) at the anode, which requires high energy input and exhibits slow kinetics, thereby reducing overall process efficiency and economic feasibility.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Show off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/show%20off. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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