Ostentation is a conspicuous display intended to attract attention or impress others, often through wealth, decoration, or status. Alternatives vary in how strongly they imply excess or vanity.
Which Shade of Showiness Fits Best?
For Ostentation, the 12 options below are arranged by meaning and use. The quick list matches the detailed entries and examples that follow.
- Showiness
- Flashiness
- Pretentiousness
- Extravagance
- Grandiosity
- Vainglory
- Opulence
- Splendor
- Flamboyance
- Theatricality
- Display
- Pomp
Showiness
“Showiness” means the quality of being deliberately noticeable or flashy. It is a more precise alternative to Ostentation when that particular nuance is the one you need.
Example: A draft about the quality of being deliberately noticeable or flashy might replace “Ostentation” with “Showiness” for greater precision.
Flashiness
“Flashiness” means bright or conspicuous display that attracts attention. It is a more precise alternative to Ostentation when that particular nuance is the one you need.
Example: When bright or conspicuous display that attracts attention is the main idea, “Flashiness” can be the cleaner wording choice.
Pretentiousness
“Pretentiousness” means attempting to appear more important, cultured, or impressive than warranted. It is a more precise alternative to Ostentation when that particular nuance is the one you need.
Example: The wording “Pretentiousness” suits a sentence in which the emphasis falls on attempting to appear more important, cultured, or impressive than warranted.
Extravagance
“Extravagance” means excessive spending, display, or elaboration. It is a more precise alternative to Ostentation when that particular nuance is the one you need.
Example: A writer comparing near-synonyms might choose “Extravagance” for the sense involving excessive spending, display, or elaboration.
Grandiosity
“Grandiosity” means an exaggerated sense or display of importance. It is a more precise alternative to Ostentation when that particular nuance is the one you need.
Example: In an edited sentence, “Grandiosity” can carry the part of “Ostentation” connected with an exaggerated sense or display of importance.
Vainglory
“Vainglory” means excessive pride in one’s achievements or qualities. It is a more precise alternative to Ostentation when that particular nuance is the one you need.
Example: If the intended nuance is excessive pride in one’s achievements or qualities, “Vainglory” is a plausible substitute for “Ostentation”.
Opulence
“Opulence” means great wealth or luxurious richness, not necessarily negatively judged. It is a more precise alternative to Ostentation when that particular nuance is the one you need.
Example: The phrase “Opulence” belongs naturally in writing where the important idea is great wealth or luxurious richness, not necessarily negatively judged.
Splendor
“Splendor” means impressive magnificence or beauty, often more positive than ostentation. It is a more precise alternative to Ostentation when that particular nuance is the one you need.
Example: For prose that highlights impressive magnificence or beauty, often more positive than ostentation, “Splendor” can sharpen the wording.
Flamboyance
“Flamboyance” means bold, colorful, and conspicuous display. It is a more precise alternative to Ostentation when that particular nuance is the one you need.
Example: A revision may use “Flamboyance” where “Ostentation” would be too broad for a context about bold, colorful, and conspicuous display.
Theatricality
“Theatricality” means dramatic presentation that draws attention to itself. It is a more precise alternative to Ostentation when that particular nuance is the one you need.
Example: The choice “Theatricality” makes sense when the sentence needs to express dramatic presentation that draws attention to itself.
Display
“Display” means open presentation intended to be seen. It is a more precise alternative to Ostentation when that particular nuance is the one you need.
Example: In a context built around open presentation intended to be seen, “Display” can preserve the intended meaning.
Pomp
“Pomp” means ceremonial or formal magnificence, sometimes viewed as excessive. It is a more precise alternative to Ostentation when that particular nuance is the one you need.
Example: A writer can use “Pomp” to make a sentence about ceremonial or formal magnificence, sometimes viewed as excessive more exact.
Choosing the Right Wording for “Ostentation”
Showiness, flashiness, pretentiousness, vainglory, and pomp often carry criticism. Extravagance and grandiosity emphasize excess; opulence and splendor can be neutral or admiring; theatricality and flamboyance emphasize dramatic presentation.