Synonyms for Display

Updated 2026-10-12 · Synonyms List editorial team

Quick answer: Useful synonyms for display include show, exhibit, present, demonstrate, and reveal. This page treats display as a verb, as in to display a painting or to display skill. You will find options for formal and casual writing, stronger and weaker choices, and example sentences that show exactly how each word fits.

Closest Synonyms for Display

show: The plain, everyday choice. The museum will show the painting next month.
exhibit: Suggests a planned public showing. The gallery will exhibit local photography.
present: Offer something for others to see or consider. She will present her design to the committee.
demonstrate: Show clearly through action. The chef will demonstrate how to fold the dough.
reveal: Make something hidden visible. The curtain fell to reveal the new car.
feature: Give something a prominent place. The window will feature this season's coats.
unveil: Show something publicly for the first time. The company will unveil its new phone on Tuesday.
parade: Show off in a public, visible way. The team paraded the trophy through town.
illustrate: Show by example or picture. The chart illustrates the growth in sales.
mount: Put on view as an exhibit. The school will mount an art show in May.
set out: Arrange so everything can be seen. She set out the jewelry on a velvet tray.
put on view: A neutral phrase for making visible. The rare manuscript is put on view each spring.

Formal Synonyms for Display

manifest: Show a quality plainly. The students manifest great curiosity.
evince: Show a feeling or quality clearly. The speech evinced real concern for workers.
disclose: Make known or visible. The report disclosed the true cost of the project.
proclaim: Announce publicly and prominently. Banners proclaimed the start of the festival.
exemplify: Show by being a typical example. Her work exemplifies careful research.
expose: Uncover to view. The low tide exposed the old shipwreck.
unfurl: Spread out so it is fully visible. They unfurled the flag over the stadium.
bespeak: Indicate or show. His careful notes bespeak a patient mind.
lay bare: Reveal fully and openly. The audit laid bare the flaws in the plan.
evidence: Show as clear proof. The children evidence strong reading skills.

Informal Synonyms for Display

show off: Display proudly, sometimes too much. He liked to show off his new bike.
flash: Display quickly or boldly. She flashed her badge at the door.
trot out: Bring out to show, often a familiar item. He trotted out the same old joke.
strut: Display confidently while walking. The rooster strutted across the yard.
flaunt: Display in a way that draws attention. She flaunted her new ring at lunch.
air: Make public for others to see or hear. The show aired the family's old photos.
pin up: Put on a wall for all to see. The class pinned up their drawings.
wave around: Display in a showy, careless way. He waved his tickets around at the gate.
put on a show: Display skills or goods for an audience. The kids put on a show for visitors.
splash: Display boldly across a surface. The paper splashed the headline across the front page.

Stronger and Weaker Words

emblazon: Stronger. Use for bold, eye-catching display. They emblazoned the team logo on every jersey.
broadcast: Stronger. Use when display reaches a wide audience. The station will broadcast the ceremony live.
trumpet: Stronger. Use for loud, proud announcement. The brochure trumpets the hotel's new spa.
blazon: Stronger. Use for a prominent, formal display. The slogan was blazoned on the banner.
hint: Weaker. Use for a slight, partial display. The trailer only hints at the plot.
suggest: Weaker. Use when something is shown indirectly. Her smile suggests quiet pride.
indicate: Weaker. Use for pointing out without full display. The gauge indicates low fuel.
imply: Weaker. Use when meaning is shown without being stated. His tone implied some doubt.

Antonyms for Display

hide
conceal
cover
mask
suppress
obscure
bury
withhold
disguise
stash

How to Pick the Right Synonym

Decide who is watching and why something is being shown. Show and present work almost everywhere, exhibit and mount fit museums and fairs, and demonstrate suits teaching or proof. Manifest and evince belong in formal writing about qualities or feelings. Show off, flaunt, and strut carry a hint of boasting, so use them only when that tone is intended.

Best Synonym by Situation

In a resume: Use demonstrate for skills. I demonstrated strong leadership while managing a team of ten.
In an essay: Use illustrate for supporting evidence. This example illustrates the author's central argument.
In a museum guide: Use exhibit for objects on view. The museum exhibits tools used by early farmers.
In a press release: Use unveil for first reveals. The studio will unveil its new logo on Friday.
In a product listing: Use feature for highlighted items. The shelf will feature our best-selling candles.
In a science report: Use manifest for observed traits. The patients manifest mild symptoms within hours.
In a casual chat: Use show off for proud display. He loves to show off his baking skills.
In a news story: Use reveal for newly shown facts. The footage reveals the moment the bridge opened.
In a classroom: Use pin up for wall displays. Please pin up your posters before Friday.
In a political speech: Use proclaim for public statements. We proclaim our commitment to clean water.

Example Sentences

The library will exhibit rare maps in the front hall this spring.
Children proudly show their artwork to visiting parents.
The pilot will demonstrate the safety features before takeoff.
Banners across the street proclaim the opening of the new market.
The data illustrate how rainfall changed across the decade.
Her calm face did not reveal how nervous she felt.
The store will feature local honey near the entrance.
The athletes paraded around the track with their national flags.
The company plans to unveil its new design at the trade fair.
His careful repairs exemplify real craftsmanship.

Related Phrases and Idioms

On show: Placed where people can see it.
Put on a brave face: To display courage while feeling afraid or sad.
Wear your heart on your sleeve: To display your feelings openly.
Show your colors: To make your true opinion or loyalty clear.
Hold up to the light: To examine something by displaying it clearly.
Blow your own trumpet: To display or boast about your own achievements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is another word for display?

Common alternatives are show, exhibit, present, demonstrate, and reveal. Use show for everyday writing, exhibit for museums and fairs, and demonstrate when you are proving a skill or explaining how something works.

What is a formal word for display?

Manifest, evince, and exhibit are strong formal options. Manifest and evince work best for qualities or feelings, while exhibit is better for objects, artwork, or evidence shown to an audience.

What is the difference between display and exhibit?

Display is the broader word for showing anything, while exhibit usually means a planned public showing, as in a museum, gallery, or trade fair. Exhibit also appears in court as evidence.

What is the opposite of display?

Hide and conceal are the most direct opposites. Cover, mask, and withhold also work, depending on whether you are keeping an object out of sight or keeping a feeling or fact private.