spec·tac·u·lar
spek-ˈta-kyə-lər 
spək-
: of, relating to, or being a spectacle : striking, sensational
a spectacular display of fireworks
spectacularly
adverb
: something that is spectacular
especially
: an elaborate film, television, or theatrical production
Synonyms
Examples of spectacular in a Sentence
Adjective
a spectacular play in a football game
The autumn foliage was spectacular.
Noun
the larger-than-life spectaculars that make Las Vegas attractive to people with little interest in gambling
Recent Examples on the Web
Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2024
By the time Radiohead and the Pixies closed the main stage on opening day of the 2004 festival, the sound at Coachella was often spectacular.
—Steve Appleford, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2024
Vogue: The costumes in the first two seasons of the show are spectacular.
—Radhika Seth, Vogue, 18 Apr. 2024
Business was steady, though not spectacular, and Oracle risked losing its luster.
—Tony Blair, TIME, 17 Apr. 2024
And Howie wearing my merch on-stage was spectacular – a full-circle, pinch-me moment.
—Leena Tailor, Variety, 17 Apr. 2024
Messi’s spectacular goal and sublime assist on Diego Gomez’s goal against Sporting KC earned him MLS Player of the Week honors.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 17 Apr. 2024
Culture seekers will appreciate the Norman Rockwell Museum and the Tanglewood music venue, while nature lovers will find no shortage of trails with spectacular views.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 16 Apr. 2024
The offense was spectacular for SMC, but solid tacklers such as Cathal Coakley, John Wilson, Nate Deegan and Matthew Abbes helped force turnovers, something Gael coach Tim O’Brien credited with turning the game in the team’s favor.
—Joseph Dycus, The Mercury News, 14 Apr. 2024
Patrick Frater, Variety, 9 Apr. 2024
The nighttime spectacular’s backstory recounts how friendships unfold in Pixar films — from first encounters and forging bonds to adventures and adversities.
—Brady MacDonald, Orange County Register, 25 Mar. 2024
Rumor has it that Disney will add drone shows to the nighttime spectaculars at its Anaheim theme parks, similar to those featured at Disneyland Paris.
—Gideon Kimbrell, Rolling Stone, 13 Mar. 2024
This is Halpin’s second rodeo at the NFL spectacular.
—Bryan West, USA TODAY, 13 Feb. 2024
But, in fact, her 007 spectacular garnered more publicity than Katharine could have ever imagined because of a certain Downing Street publicity moment.
—Alice Newbold, Vogue, 18 Feb. 2024
Parades, nighttime spectaculars and character greetings may be temporarily canceled or modified.
—Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024
Gaylord Palms, Kissimmee, Florida Every year, the family resort Gaylord Palms puts on an over-the-top holiday spectacular called ICE!
—Elizabeth Rhodes, Travel + Leisure, 3 Nov. 2023
Saweetie, whose nails are on display in a glass case in the entry room of the exhibit, was on hand at the preview, marveling at the aural spectacular.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 6 Oct. 2023
Adjective
His coverage skills are solid, if not spectacular, knocking him into this tier.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2024
By the time Radiohead and the Pixies closed the main stage on opening day of the 2004 festival, the sound at Coachella was often spectacular.
—Steve Appleford, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2024
Vogue: The costumes in the first two seasons of the show are spectacular.
—Radhika Seth, Vogue, 18 Apr. 2024
Business was steady, though not spectacular, and Oracle risked losing its luster.
—Tony Blair, TIME, 17 Apr. 2024
And Howie wearing my merch on-stage was spectacular – a full-circle, pinch-me moment.
—Leena Tailor, Variety, 17 Apr. 2024
Messi’s spectacular goal and sublime assist on Diego Gomez’s goal against Sporting KC earned him MLS Player of the Week honors.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 17 Apr. 2024
Culture seekers will appreciate the Norman Rockwell Museum and the Tanglewood music venue, while nature lovers will find no shortage of trails with spectacular views.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 16 Apr. 2024
The offense was spectacular for SMC, but solid tacklers such as Cathal Coakley, John Wilson, Nate Deegan and Matthew Abbes helped force turnovers, something Gael coach Tim O’Brien credited with turning the game in the team’s favor.
—Joseph Dycus, The Mercury News, 14 Apr. 2024
Noun
Macau is no stranger to huge-scale stage spectaculars.
—Patrick Frater, Variety, 9 Apr. 2024
The nighttime spectacular’s backstory recounts how friendships unfold in Pixar films — from first encounters and forging bonds to adventures and adversities.
—Brady MacDonald, Orange County Register, 25 Mar. 2024
Rumor has it that Disney will add drone shows to the nighttime spectaculars at its Anaheim theme parks, similar to those featured at Disneyland Paris.
—Gideon Kimbrell, Rolling Stone, 13 Mar. 2024
This is Halpin’s second rodeo at the NFL spectacular.
—Bryan West, USA TODAY, 13 Feb. 2024
But, in fact, her 007 spectacular garnered more publicity than Katharine could have ever imagined because of a certain Downing Street publicity moment.
—Alice Newbold, Vogue, 18 Feb. 2024
Parades, nighttime spectaculars and character greetings may be temporarily canceled or modified.
—Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024
Gaylord Palms, Kissimmee, Florida Every year, the family resort Gaylord Palms puts on an over-the-top holiday spectacular called ICE!
—Elizabeth Rhodes, Travel + Leisure, 3 Nov. 2023
Saweetie, whose nails are on display in a glass case in the entry room of the exhibit, was on hand at the preview, marveling at the aural spectacular.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 6 Oct. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'spectacular.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near spectacular
Cite this Entry
“Spectacular.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spectacular. Accessed 2 May. 2024.
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