sideshow

noun

side·​show ˈsīd-ˌshō How to pronounce sideshow (audio)
1
: a minor show offered in addition to a main exhibition (as of a circus)
2
: an incidental diversion or spectacle

Examples of sideshow in a Sentence

Their disagreement is just a political sideshow when compared to the real issues at hand.
Recent Examples on the Web Tokens are not a sideshow of blockchain networks, a nuisance that can be stripped out and discarded. Chris Dixon, Fortune, 10 Mar. 2024 That makes culture not a sideshow to geopolitics but rather a central arena with sweeping implications for international relations. Suzanne Nossel, Foreign Affairs, 29 Feb. 2024 Now, professional wrestling seems like a sideshow to the American story, or at least, slightly ridiculous, and therefore not worthy of serious consideration. Allison Morrow, CNN, 13 Feb. 2024 The law enforcement officials, in total, conducted 46 traffic stops that night in response to the sideshow. Rosalio Ahumada, Sacramento Bee, 13 Feb. 2024 The appointment of Knight to the vector control board is just the latest example of what many exasperated residents describe as Shasta County’s descent into a political sideshow. Hailey Branson-Potts, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2023 Culture may seem like a sideshow in a world riven by multiple wars, economic competition, and political confrontation. Suzanne Nossel, Foreign Affairs, 29 Feb. 2024 These screamers can no longer be condescended to, as a quirky sideshow to pop music. Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 9 Feb. 2024 On the Facebook page, these reports were regarded by some as a sideshow. Rebecca Panovka, Harper's Magazine, 9 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sideshow.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1846, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sideshow was in 1846

Dictionary Entries Near sideshow

Cite this Entry

“Sideshow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sideshow. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

sideshow

noun
side·​show -ˌshō How to pronounce sideshow (audio)
: a small show off to the side offered in addition to a main show (as of a circus)

More from Merriam-Webster on sideshow

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