display 1 of 2

Definition of displaynext
1
as in exhibit
a public showing of objects of interest a display of paintings by masters of French Impressionism

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in demonstration
an outward and often exaggerated indication of something abstract (as a feeling) for effect a display of sympathy that was totally phony

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word display different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of display are exhibit, expose, flaunt, parade, and show. While all these words mean "to present so as to invite notice or attention," display emphasizes putting in a position where others may see to advantage.

display sale items

When is exhibit a more appropriate choice than display?

While the synonyms exhibit and display are close in meaning, exhibit stresses putting forward prominently or openly.

exhibit paintings at a gallery

Where would expose be a reasonable alternative to display?

The synonyms expose and display are sometimes interchangeable, but expose suggests bringing forth from concealment and displaying.

sought to expose the hypocrisy of the town fathers

When is it sensible to use flaunt instead of display?

Although the words flaunt and display have much in common, flaunt suggests a shameless, boastful, often offensive parading.

nouveaux riches flaunting their wealth

When could parade be used to replace display?

The meanings of parade and display largely overlap; however, parade implies an ostentatious or arrogant displaying.

parading their piety for all to see

When would show be a good substitute for display?

In some situations, the words show and display are roughly equivalent. However, show implies no more than enabling another to see or examine.

showed her snapshots to the whole group

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 display
Noun
In July, France’s Ministry of Culture recommended temporarily removing high-value objects from display as part of a broader plan to strengthen security at museums. — Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 5 Oct. 2026 Tiny capsules full of moving ink At the heart of a conventional black-and-white e-ink display are millions of microscopic capsules. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 4 Oct. 2026
Verb
Tabletop Deals Amazon’s entertaining and tabletop section is rich with bespoke-looking items that the consummate host would love to display. — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 6 Oct. 2026 Related Articles Luckily, all of the book’s 150 large interior pages, or parchments made from sheepskins, are in safe keeping and were not displayed with the ornate cover at the time of the theft. — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 6 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for display
Recent Examples of Synonyms for display
Noun
  • The exhibit has also been translated into Spanish, Ballard said.
    — Emma Hall October 3, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026
  • There's also mammal dioramas, live animals, and other rotating exhibits.
    — Andrew Stelzer, NPR, 3 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The demonstration was supported by PartyOS, RoboParty’s open research and development platform for humanoid robotics, which integrates the company’s UFO framework.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026
  • For one, the system was demonstrated in simulations, not a full real-world demonstration in which a freely operating robot continuously read someone's EEG and corrected its behavior around the house.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Stats show travel retail stores are being mined for discovery and unforgettable memories, with 86 percent of people wanting exclusive beauty offers in the channel, according to L’Oréal.
    — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The scale of the award also shows where the manufacturing bottleneck can sit inside a missile program.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 6 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The companies revealed that the commercial agreement extends beyond a single installation.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026
  • News reports have revealed incidents involving other websites that OpenAI had not publicly disclosed.
    — Alyson Shontell, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The curators have also organized an exhibition within an exhibition, producing a simulacrum of Lichtenstein’s 1962 Leo Castelli Gallery debut.
    — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The reports say that when a post office facility was struck, about a third of the entire exhibition was destroyed.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The fifth-round pick from Nebraska has flashed as both a runner and pass-catcher behind the Chiefs’ featured back.
    — Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 2 Oct. 2026
  • As Americans prepared to celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday on the morning of July 4, sobering images flashed across their phones and TV screens.
    — James Bisbee, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • There, local fishermen demonstrated their sustainable crayfish harvesting process, and as a spectacular touch, the helicopter lifted one of the crayfish tanks straight out of the ocean, giving our client a dramatic view of the abundant catch.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
  • French youths have been demonstrating over poor conditions at school buildings, and analysts expect unrest to intensify after a teenager’s hand was blown off by a riot police sting grenade.
    — Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The joint announcement unveiled a major $54 billion South Korean investment that includes the Alaska Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) project.
    — Jenny Lee, CNBC, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Skydance is poised to unveil its official executive structure early next week, tied to Paramount’s acquisition of WBD closing Tuesday.
    — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 4 Oct. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Display.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/display. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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