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
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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
Sheila Regan, Twin Cities, 11 July 2025
Do yourself a favor and show off those gorgeously toned legs of yours.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 11 July 2025
Chris Vognar, Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2024
This one-of-a-kind cultural exchange program invites visitors to come into the homes of vetted, welcoming locals, who are likewise looking to meet travelers and show-off what their country has to offer in a unique way — and maybe just make a few new lifelong friendships along the way.
—Sandra MacGregor, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for show off
Verb
The second work gives her a chance to show off her flawless double stops, played with elegance.
—Sheila Regan, Twin Cities, 11 July 2025
Do yourself a favor and show off those gorgeously toned legs of yours.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 11 July 2025
Noun
This was my chance to not be an actor, not have that stink of being an actor, that egotistical, show-off, controlling, making choices, being clever part of being an actor.
—Chris Vognar, Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2024
This one-of-a-kind cultural exchange program invites visitors to come into the homes of vetted, welcoming locals, who are likewise looking to meet travelers and show-off what their country has to offer in a unique way — and maybe just make a few new lifelong friendships along the way.
—Sandra MacGregor, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for show off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for show off
Verb
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Running or horsing around with sparklers can also cause injuries and burns when users trip and fall.—
Justin Laube,
EverydayHealth.com,
2 July 2025
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Umberto Rispoli squeezed between horses around the top of the stretch and then rode Journalism to a tremendous rally.—
Baltimore Sun staff,
Baltimore Sun,
24 May 2025
Verb
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Sell By: This date, used for inventory management purposes, indicates how long the retailer should display the product for sale.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
7 July 2025
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In an experience that will certainly be beneficial heading into his first year as a Husky, the 7-foot big man continued to display his advanced footwork and an ability to score at all three levels during Germany’s 109-76 loss to Team USA in the gold medal game.—
Joe Arruda,
Hartford Courant,
6 July 2025
Noun
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What happens to Joshua Pearce? After clashing on and off the track, Sonny and Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris) — a hotshot rookie with raw talent and an ego to match — finally start to gel at the Hungarian Grand Prix.—
Allison DeGrushe Published,
EW.com,
1 July 2025
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His past is tough to outrace, though, and his biggest competition might be his own teammate, the hotshot rookie Joshua Pearce (Idris).—
Nada Aboul Kheir,
Deadline,
24 June 2025
Verb
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National media reports in the last few weeks indicated Trump will dissolve the EPA's Office of Research and Development and cut up to 75% of its jobs.—
Scott Wartman,
The Enquirer,
2 July 2025
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Other parts of the plan to cut up to $37 million from TSU's budget include reductions in non-instructional staff that would save $6-7 million and instructional staff cuts that would account for another $5-6 million.—
Rachel Wegner,
The Tennessean,
2 July 2025
Verb
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That leadership will need to show itself in the coming months, before ballots are printed and voters start returning ballots by mail.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 July 2025
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Tropical Depression Chantal tracker This forecast track shows the most likely path of the center of the storm.—
Gabe Hauari,
USA Today,
7 July 2025
Verb
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Those have come from two players: Adrian Morejon of the San Diego Padres, who throws an odd knuckleball-changeup hybrid about 1 percent of the time, and Jonah Bride of the Minnesota Twins, an infielder fooling around with the knuckler in blowouts.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
19 June 2025
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As Molly and Guy start to fool around, things get hot and heavy, but Ernie has a job to do.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
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These individuals exhibited a particularly strong reduction in stress following the exercise program.—
Anuradha Varanasi,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
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The other day in the Rockaways, on the shore at Beach Eighty-seventh Street, the ocean was exhibiting its pugilistic side: four-foot waves, strong undertow—perfect conditions for test-driving one of the city’s new beach-patrol initiatives.—
Henry Alford,
New Yorker,
14 July 2025
Noun
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Celebrity deaths 2025: Remembering the stars who've died this year Chris Robinson, 'General Hospital' and 'Bold and the Beautiful' star, dies at 86 His appearance in a single episode of Frasier, as wise guy Jerome Balasco, earned Yulin an Emmy nomination.—
Shania Russell,
EW.com,
11 June 2025
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And for the most part, the wise guys weren't overly impressed with the Green Bay Packers’ offseason.—
Rob Reischel,
Forbes.com,
6 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Show off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/show%20off. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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