Tawdry (Adjective)
Meaning 1
Tastelessly showy; "a flash car"; "a flashy ring"; "garish colors"; "a gaudy costume"; "loud sport shirts"; "a meretricious yet stylish book"; "tawdry ornaments".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- The interior design of the luxurious mansion was often criticized for being too tawdry, with gold accents and crystal chandeliers that seemed to scream of opulence rather than tasteful elegance.
- Her husband bought her a tawdry ring that was meant to be a symbol of his love, but it looked more like something a street vendor would sell to unsuspecting tourists.
- The neighbors' taste in garden ornaments was a bit tawdry, with gnomes and flamingos arranged in a chaotic display of kitschy splendor.
- He loved wearing loud sport shirts with gaudy patterns, and his favorite was one with a repeating pattern of tiny guitars.
- Despite its questionable aesthetic, the antique shop's window display was a masterclass in tasteful restraint, with a few carefully chosen items displayed against a background of tawdry red velvet.
Synonyms
Related Words
Meaning 2
Made of inferior workmanship and materials; "cheapjack moviemaking...that feeds on the low taste of the mob"- Judith Crist.
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- The tawdry decorations at the amusement park seemed to cater to the lowest common denominator of thrill-seekers.
- The film's tawdry plot twists and character developments left many viewers feeling unsatisfied with the overall quality of the movie.
- The tawdry souvenir shops that lined the beachside boardwalk sold cheap trinkets and tacky mementos to unsuspecting tourists.
- The tawdry reality TV show was criticized for its lack of substance and overemphasis on sensationalism and drama.
- The tawdry nightclub's gaudy decor and loud music made it a popular spot for those looking for a cheap thrill on a Saturday night.