The verb “displayed” is a cornerstone of both written and spoken English. Whether discussing scientific data, describing emotions, or recounting a work presentation, “displayed” and its synonyms appear everywhere. Mastering these synonyms is crucial for anyone seeking to expand vocabulary, improve writing style, or boost reading comprehension.
Understanding the nuanced differences among synonyms like exhibited, showed, revealed, and others is not just an academic exercise—it’s a practical skill. The right word can sharpen your meaning, enhance your argument, and engage your audience, whether you’re a student, an ESL/EFL learner, a professional, a writer, or a language enthusiast.
In this comprehensive guide, you will learn:
- Precise definitions and grammatical roles of “displayed” and its synonyms
- Structural patterns and verb forms
- Different types and categories of synonyms
- Extensive real-world examples and tables
- Rules, common mistakes, and how to avoid them
- Practice exercises with detailed answers
- Advanced nuances, register, and regional differences
- FAQs addressing common learner questions
This guide is designed to be your reference for mastering the synonyms of “displayed”—from basic usage to advanced, context-sensitive distinctions.
Table of Contents
- 3. Definition Section
- 4. Structural Breakdown
- 5. Types or Categories
- 6. Examples Section
- 7. Usage Rules
- 8. Common Mistakes
- 9. Practice Exercises
- 10. Advanced Topics
- 11. FAQ Section
- 12. Conclusion
3. Definition Section
3.1. What Does “Displayed” Mean?
According to major dictionaries, “displayed” (verb, past tense and past participle of display) means to show or make something visible to others, or to present or exhibit for view. It can also mean to show a quality, emotion, or characteristic clearly.
- Main meaning: To show, exhibit, or make visible.
- Other meanings: To demonstrate qualities, feelings, or data.
3.2. Grammatical Classification
- Verb: “Displayed” is the regular past tense and past participle of “display.”
- Voice: Can be used in both active and passive constructions.
- Adjectival use: Sometimes used as an adjective (e.g., “displayed items”).
3.3. Function in Sentences
“Displayed” can function as a main verb, in auxiliary (perfect) forms, or as a participle modifying nouns.
Pattern | Example |
---|---|
Subject + displayed + object | The museum displayed ancient artifacts. |
Subject + have/has displayed + object | She has displayed great courage. |
Object + was/were displayed + (by agent) | The results were displayed on the screen. |
Displayed + noun (adjective use) | The displayed products attracted customers. |
Subject + displayed + object + prepositional phrase | Photos were displayed in the hallway. |
3.4. Usage Contexts
- Academic/scientific: “The data was displayed in a table.”
- Everyday conversation: “He displayed anger when he heard the news.”
- Business/marketing: “New products are displayed in the shop window.”
- Tone: Generally neutral; can be formal or informal depending on context.
4. Structural Breakdown
4.1. Verb Patterns with “Displayed” and Synonyms
Most synonyms of “displayed” are transitive verbs (require a direct object), but some can be used intransitively or with prepositions.
Pattern | Example with “displayed” | Example with Synonym |
---|---|---|
V + object | She displayed her artwork. | She showed her artwork. |
V + object + to + person | He displayed the results to the class. | He presented the results to the class. |
V + object + at/in/on + place | Paintings were displayed at the entrance. | Paintings were exhibited at the entrance. |
V (intransitive/with preposition) | The flag displayed on the roof. | The flag flew on the roof. |
4.2. Tense and Aspect
Most synonyms follow regular or irregular verb patterns. Some, like “show,” are irregular.
See how synonyms fit different tenses:
Tense/Aspect | Displayed | Showed/Show | Exhibited | Revealed | Will Present |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Present Simple | display(s) | show(s) | exhibit(s) | reveal(s) | will present |
Past Simple | displayed | showed | exhibited | revealed | presented |
Present Perfect | has/have displayed | has/have shown | has/have exhibited | has/have revealed | has/have presented |
Future Simple | will display | will show | will exhibit | will reveal | will present |
4.3. Voice (Active vs. Passive)
“Displayed” and its synonyms can appear in both active and passive voice:
- Active: The teacher displayed the chart.
- Passive: The chart was displayed by the teacher.
- Synonyms: “The data was presented by the team.” / “The painting was exhibited in Paris.”
4.4. Collocations and Common Phrases
Certain synonyms pair naturally with specific nouns and phrases. Here are some common collocations:
Synonym | Common Collocations | Example |
---|---|---|
Displayed | courage, artwork, data, products | She displayed great courage. |
Exhibited | artwork, symptoms, behavior | The patient exhibited signs of improvement. |
Showed | interest, emotion, results | He showed interest in the topic. |
Presented | report, findings, award | She presented her research to the panel. |
Revealed | truth, secret, identity | The test revealed the answer. |
Demonstrated | ability, technique, method | The scientist demonstrated the process. |
Showed off | new car, skills, wealth | He showed off his new car. |
5. Types or Categories
5.1. Synonyms by Degree of Formality
- Formal: exhibited, presented, demonstrated
- Neutral: displayed, showed, revealed
- Informal: put on, showed off, flaunted
5.2. Synonyms by Context
- Visual/Physical: exhibited, showcased, displayed
- Emotional/Abstract: demonstrated, manifested, showed
- Technical/Data: presented, revealed, displayed
5.3. Synonyms by Nuance/Connotation
Some synonyms carry positive, negative, or neutral connotations. For instance, “showed off” is often negative, while “exhibited” is neutral or positive.
Synonym | Connotation | Example |
---|---|---|
Displayed | Neutral | She displayed her artwork. |
Showed off | Negative | He showed off his wealth. |
Exhibited | Neutral/Positive | The gallery exhibited her paintings. |
Presented | Formal/Positive | She presented her findings. |
Revealed | Neutral | The test revealed the truth. |
Flaunted | Strongly Negative | She flaunted her success. |
Demonstrated | Positive/Formal | He demonstrated leadership skills. |
6. Examples Section
6.1. Basic Usage Examples
- She displayed her paintings at the local gallery.
- The results were displayed on the screen.
- He displayed great patience during the process.
- New products are displayed in the shop window.
- They displayed their flag during the parade.
- The emotions he displayed were genuine.
- All the findings have been displayed in the report.
- The information was displayed for everyone to see.
6.2. Synonyms in Simple Sentences
Here are example sentences for each major synonym of “displayed.”
- Showed: She showed her drawings to her friends.
- Exhibited: The artist exhibited his work in Paris.
- Presented: He presented his findings at the conference.
- Revealed: The test revealed new information.
- Demonstrated: She demonstrated her cooking skills.
- Showed off: He showed off his new shoes.
- Showcased: The fair showcased local talent.
- Manifested: His anger manifested in his tone.
- Unveiled: The company unveiled its new product.
- Flaunted: She flaunted her wealth at the party.
See the table below for a side-by-side comparison.
Displayed | Showed | Exhibited | Presented | Revealed |
---|---|---|---|---|
He displayed his collection. | He showed his collection. | He exhibited his collection. | He presented his collection. | He revealed his collection. |
The results were displayed. | The results were shown. | The results were exhibited. | The results were presented. | The results were revealed. |
She displayed confidence. | She showed confidence. | She exhibited confidence. | She presented confidence. | She revealed confidence. |
6.3. Examples by Category
- Visual/Physical:
- The museum exhibited ancient pottery.
- Paintings were displayed on the walls.
- The store showcased the latest gadgets.
- The sculpture was presented on a pedestal.
- The photos were revealed to the public.
- The car was unveiled at the auto show.
- He showed off his collection of stamps.
- The dress was flaunted on the runway.
- Emotional/Abstract:
- He displayed kindness to strangers.
- She demonstrated remarkable patience.
- Her joy was manifested in her smile.
- The team showed determination to win.
- His anger was revealed in his voice.
- The athlete exhibited resilience throughout the game.
- Her talent was showcased during the recital.
- He presented a calm demeanor.
- Technical/Data:
- The chart displayed the sales figures.
- The results were presented to the committee.
- The study revealed important trends.
- The software shows the changes in real time.
- The experiment demonstrated the theory in action.
- The data was exhibited in a table.
- All findings were displayed on the website.
- The survey showed a high level of satisfaction.
6.4. Advanced/Complex Sentences
- After analyzing the data, the researchers presented their findings in a comprehensive report.
- The artist’s latest work, which exhibited a unique blend of styles, received critical acclaim.
- The company unveiled its innovative technology at the annual conference, attracting global attention.
- The patient’s symptoms manifested gradually, making diagnosis challenging.
- Her leadership skills were demonstrated during the project crisis.
- The financial results, which had been previously concealed, were finally revealed to stakeholders.
- The document was showcased as an example of best practice in the workshop.
- The professor displayed multiple approaches to solving the equation on the board.
- His arrogance was flaunted in every interaction, much to the team’s frustration.
- During the seminar, innovative solutions were demonstrated using live simulations.
6.5. Tables for Reference
Synonym | Example Sentence | Context |
---|---|---|
Displayed | The results were displayed on the screen. | Technical/Data |
Exhibited | The patient exhibited unusual symptoms. | Medical/Emotional |
Showed | She showed her friends the pictures. | Everyday/Physical |
Presented | He presented his proposal at the meeting. | Business/Formal |
Revealed | The investigation revealed the truth. | Technical/Discovery |
Demonstrated | The teacher demonstrated the experiment. | Academic/Technical |
Showed off | He showed off his new jacket. | Informal/Negative |
Showcased | The exhibition showcased young designers. | Formal/Artistic |
Active | Passive |
---|---|
The artist exhibited the sculpture. | The sculpture was exhibited by the artist. |
The teacher displayed the results. | The results were displayed by the teacher. |
The company revealed the new design. | The new design was revealed by the company. |
The team presented the data. | The data was presented by the team. |
Expression | Meaning | Example |
---|---|---|
Put on a display | Show something clearly | She put on a display of skill. |
Showed off | Boast or draw attention | He showed off at the party. |
Presented himself well | Gave a good impression | He presented himself well in the interview. |
Reveal one’s true colors | Show real character | He revealed his true colors under pressure. |
Context | Formal Synonyms | Informal Synonyms |
---|---|---|
Business Report | presented, demonstrated, exhibited | showed, put on |
Casual Conversation | displayed, showed | showed off, flaunted |
Academic Paper | presented, revealed, demonstrated | showed |
Social Media | showcased | showed off, flaunted |
Synonym | Connotation | Tone | Example |
---|---|---|---|
Exhibited | Neutral/Positive | Formal | She exhibited great professionalism. |
Showed off | Negative | Informal | He showed off his new phone. |
Demonstrated | Positive | Formal | She demonstrated her expertise. |
Flaunted | Strongly Negative | Informal | He flaunted his wealth. |
6.6. Paraphrasing with Synonyms
Compare how subtle meaning changes when paraphrasing with synonyms:
- Original: She displayed her new dress at the party.
Paraphrase 1: She showed off her new dress at the party. (Suggests boasting)
Paraphrase 2: She exhibited her new dress at the party. (More formal, neutral)
Paraphrase 3: She flaunted her new dress at the party. (Negative connotation) - Original: The scientist displayed the results.
Paraphrase 1: The scientist presented the results. (Formal, academic)
Paraphrase 2: The scientist revealed the results. (Emphasizes new information) - Original: He displayed confidence during the interview.
Paraphrase 1: He showed confidence during the interview. (Neutral)
Paraphrase 2: He demonstrated confidence during the interview. (Suggests evidence or proof) - Original: The gallery displayed local art.
Paraphrase 1: The gallery exhibited local art.
Paraphrase 2: The gallery showcased local art. (Emphasis on promotion) - Original: The new evidence was displayed in court.
Paraphrase 1: The new evidence was presented in court.
Paraphrase 2: The new evidence was revealed in court. (Emphasis on discovery)
7. Usage Rules
7.1. Matching Synonym to Context
- Choose exhibited/presented in formal, academic, or professional settings.
- Use showed/off or flaunted in informal or conversational contexts.
- Select revealed when emphasizing discovery or previously hidden information.
- Use demonstrated for skills, abilities, or proof.
7.2. Collocational Preferences
- Exhibited pairs with: artwork, symptoms, behavior
- Presented pairs with: findings, award, report
- Demonstrated pairs with: skill, ability, method
- Showed off/flaunted pairs with: possessions, appearance, talent (boasting)
7.3. Grammatical Constraints
- Most synonyms are transitive (require an object): “She displayed courage.”
- Some can be intransitive with prepositions: “The painting was exhibited at the gallery.”
- Passive forms require correct verb agreement: “The data was presented.”
- Do not use “showed off” in formal writing.
7.4. Differences in Implication/Nuance
- Showed off: Implies boasting or excessive display.
- Displayed: Neutral, simply making visible.
- Exhibited: Often formal, public, or organized display.
- Revealed: Discovery or making something hidden visible.
7.5. Tables of Rules
Do | Don’t |
---|---|
Use “presented” for formal reports | Use “showed off” in a business context |
Use “exhibited” for public/artistic displays | Say “flaunted” in academic writing |
Use “revealed” for discoveries | Mix “exhibited” with emotions awkwardly |
Use “demonstrated” for skills or abilities | Use “displayed” or “showed” with secrets (prefer “revealed”) |
Context | Recommended Synonyms | Synonyms to Avoid |
---|---|---|
Academic Paper | presented, revealed, demonstrated | showed off, flaunted |
Art Exhibition | exhibited, displayed, showcased | showed off, presented (for objects) |
Casual Conversation | showed, displayed | exhibited (can sound overly formal) |
Social Media | showcased, showed off | exhibited (rare) |
7.6. Exceptions and Special Cases
- Exhibited can sound awkward with positive emotions (“exhibited happiness” is less common than “displayed happiness”).
- Revealed is appropriate only when something was hidden or unknown.
- Showed off/flaunted are not used in formal or technical writing.
- Showcased is more common in American English and in promotional contexts.
8. Common Mistakes
8.1. Overusing “Displayed” or a Single Synonym
Mistake: Using “displayed” repeatedly in an essay.
- Original: The company displayed its products. The staff displayed great skill. The display attracted visitors.
- Improved: The company showcased its products. The staff demonstrated great skill. The exhibit attracted visitors.
8.2. Using Inappropriate Synonyms
Incorrect | Correct | Reason |
---|---|---|
She flaunted her report to the manager. | She presented her report to the manager. | “Flaunted” is boastful and inappropriate here. |
The patient showed off symptoms of illness. | The patient exhibited symptoms of illness. | “Showed off” is informal, “exhibited” is precise. |
The artist presented her paintings in the gallery. | The artist exhibited her paintings in the gallery. | “Exhibited” is standard for art displays. |
The study showed off new trends. | The study revealed new trends. | “Showed off” is inappropriate for data. |
8.3. Mixing Up Collocations
- Incorrect: The patient displayed fever.
- Correct: The patient exhibited fever.
- Incorrect: She exhibited happiness.
- Correct: She displayed happiness.
8.4. Grammatical Errors
- Incorrect: The findings was displayed on the board.
- Correct: The findings were displayed on the board.
- Incorrect: The results was revealed yesterday.
- Correct: The results were revealed yesterday.
- Incorrect: He demonstrated to the audience his skills. (awkward word order)
- Correct: He demonstrated his skills to the audience.
8.5. Incorrect vs. Correct Examples
- Incorrect: He showed off his findings at the conference.
Correct: He presented his findings at the conference. - Incorrect: She flaunted her research to the panel.
Correct: She presented her research to the panel. - Incorrect: The data was showed on the screen.
Correct: The data was shown on the screen. - Incorrect: The team exhibited the results to the manager.
Correct: The team presented the results to the manager. - Incorrect: He displayed his anger to the audience.
Correct: He showed his anger to the audience. - Incorrect: Her ability was demonstrated patience.
Correct: She demonstrated patience. - Incorrect: The artist presented at the gallery his paintings.
Correct: The artist exhibited his paintings at the gallery. - Incorrect: The new app was showed off at the launch.
Correct: The new app was showcased at the launch. - Incorrect: He revealed his new shoes to his friends. (awkward unless they were hidden)
Correct: He showed his new shoes to his friends. - Incorrect: The symptoms displayed quickly.
Correct: The symptoms appeared quickly / The patient exhibited symptoms quickly.
9. Practice Exercises
9.1. Fill-in-the-Blank
- The artist __________ her paintings at the exhibition. (exhibited/displayed)
- The company __________ its new product at the conference. (unveiled/presented)
- The patient __________ unusual symptoms after the treatment. (exhibited/showed)
- He __________ his new shoes to everyone at the party. (showed off/flaunted)
- The study __________ a significant trend. (revealed/showed)
- She __________ remarkable patience during the process. (displayed/demonstrated)
- The teacher __________ the results on the board. (displayed/showed)
- The manager __________ the findings to the team. (presented/showed)
- Her anger __________ in her voice. (was revealed/manifested)
- The gallery __________ local artists’ work. (showcased/exhibited)
9.2. Error Correction
- The team showed off the report to the board.
- The symptoms was exhibited quickly.
- The artist presented her paintings in the gallery.
- The study showed off new patterns.
- The patient flaunted symptoms of the illness.
- He demonstrated to the audience his new design.
- The findings was displayed on the website.
9.3. Multiple Choice
- In academic writing, it is better to use:
a) showed off
b) presented
c) flaunted
d) put on - The art gallery __________ modern sculptures last month.
a) exhibited
b) flaunted
c) showed off
d) revealed - He __________ his skills during the competition.
a) demonstrated
b) flaunted
c) put on
d) revealed - The mystery was finally __________ in the last chapter.
a) revealed
b) displayed
c) presented
d) showed - The company __________ its latest invention at the trade fair.
a) unveiled
b) showed off
c) flaunted
d) exhibited - The patient __________ signs of improvement.
a) exhibited
b) flaunted
c) showed off
d) presented - Her talent was __________ at the recital.
a) showcased
b) flaunted
c) displayed
d) exhibited - The results __________ a clear pattern.
a) revealed
b) displayed
c) showed
d) all of the above
9.4. Identification Exercise
Read the following paragraphs and underline the synonyms of “displayed”:
Paragraph 1:
The museum exhibited rare fossils last summer. Many visitors showed great interest in the collection. The organizers presented detailed information about each artifact, and the new findings were revealed during a special event.
Paragraph 2:
At the festival, local artists showcased their talents. One musician demonstrated an impressive skill on the violin, while others displayed their paintings. Some performers even showed off their dance moves.
9.5. Sentence Construction
Write original sentences using the following synonyms of “displayed”:
- Exhibited
- Revealed
- Presented
- Showed off
- Showcased
9.6. Paraphrasing Practice
Rewrite the following sentences using a suitable synonym of “displayed”:
- She displayed her collection at the fair.
- The report displayed the results clearly.
- He displayed courage during the rescue.
- The new phone was displayed in the window.
- His frustration was displayed through his words.
9.7. Answer Key
Fill-in-the-Blank Answers:
- exhibited/displayed
- unveiled/presented
- exhibited/showed
- showed off/flaunted
- revealed/showed
- displayed/demonstrated
- displayed/showed
- presented/showed
- was revealed/manifested
- showcased/exhibited
Error Correction:
- The team presented the report to the board.
- The symptoms were exhibited quickly.
- The artist exhibited her paintings in the gallery.
- The study revealed new patterns.
- The patient exhibited symptoms of the illness.
- He demonstrated his new design to the audience.
- The findings were displayed on the website.
Multiple Choice Answers:
- b) presented
- a) exhibited
- a) demonstrated
- a) revealed
- a) unveiled
- a) exhibited
- d) exhibited/a) showcased/c) displayed (all acceptable)
- d) all of the above
Identification Exercise:
- Paragraph 1 synonyms: exhibited, showed, presented, revealed
- Paragraph 2 synonyms: showcased, demonstrated, displayed, showed off
Sentence Construction: (Sample Answers)
- The gallery exhibited modern sculptures from local artists.
- The investigation revealed several important facts.
- She presented her argument clearly during the debate.
- He showed off his dance moves at the party.
- The festival showcased a variety of food vendors.
Paraphrasing Practice: (Sample Answers)
- She exhibited her collection at the fair.
- The report presented the results clearly.
- He demonstrated courage during the rescue.
- The new phone was showcased in the window.
- His frustration was manifested through his words.
10. Advanced Topics
10.1. Subtle Nuances between Close Synonyms
Synonym | Nuance | Typical Context | Example |
---|---|---|---|
Showed | General, neutral, broad use | Everyday, informal or formal | She showed her new haircut. |
Displayed | Making visible or presenting for view | Data, objects, qualities | The museum displayed artifacts. |
Exhibited | Organized, public, or formal display | Art, symptoms, professional | The gallery exhibited his work. |
Revealed | Making something hidden known | Secrets, data, discoveries | The test revealed the cause. |
Demonstrated | Showing by action or proof | Skills, abilities, evidence | He demonstrated leadership. |
10.2. Register and Tone in Professional Writing
- Choose presented, revealed, demonstrated for academic and formal writing.
- Avoid showed off, flaunted in professional documents.
- Use exhibited, displayed for scientific or technical descriptions.
10.3. Synonyms in Idioms and Fixed Phrases
- Put on a display (show something impressively)
- Showed off (draw attention to oneself, often negatively)
- Present oneself (behave or appear in a certain way)
- Reveal one’s true colors (show real personality/intentions)
- Showcase talent (demonstrate or display talent)
10.4. Synonyms in Literary and Creative Writing
- Displayed and revealed can create suspense or describe character traits.
- Exhibited and showcased are used for vivid, imaginative descriptions.
- Flaunted and showed off convey character attitudes or social critique.
10.5. Regional and Dialectal Preferences
- Showcased is more prevalent in American English, especially in business and promotional contexts.
- Exhibited and displayed are common in both British and American English.
- Put on (as in “put on a display”) is informal in both varieties.
10.6. Synonyms in Passive Constructions
- Most synonyms can be used in the passive voice: “The data was presented,” “The art was exhibited,” “The results were revealed.”
- Showed off and flaunted are rarely used in passive constructions.
- Pay attention to verb agreement and prepositional phrases in passives.
11. FAQ Section
- What is the difference between “displayed,” “exhibited,” and “showed”?
“Displayed” is neutral and means to make visible or present. “Exhibited” is more formal and often refers to public or artistic displays. “Showed” is a general, informal synonym that covers almost any context. - When should I use “revealed” instead of “displayed”?
Use “revealed” when information was hidden or unknown before. “Displayed” is for things made visible or shown openly. - Which synonyms of “displayed” are most formal?
“Presented,” “exhibited,” and “demonstrated” are typically the most formal. - Can “displayed” be used for emotions? What about “exhibited”?
Yes, “displayed” can be used for emotions (e.g., displayed anger). “Exhibited” is used for behaviors or symptoms, less often for emotions. - What are the common collocations for “displayed” and its synonyms?
“Displayed”: courage, artwork, data; “Exhibited”: symptoms, behavior, art; “Presented”: findings, award, proposal; “Revealed”: truth, secret; “Demonstrated”: skill, technique. - Is “showed off” always negative?
“Showed off” usually has a negative or boastful connotation, but in some contexts (like talent shows), it can be neutral. - How do I avoid repeating “displayed” in academic writing?
Use synonyms such as “presented,” “demonstrated,” “revealed,” or “exhibited” for variety and precision. - Are there any synonyms that are not appropriate in formal writing?
Yes, avoid “showed off,” “put on,” and “flaunted” in formal or academic texts. - How do these synonyms differ in British and American English?
“Showcased” is more common in American English. Most others are used similarly in both varieties. - Can I use “displayed” in the passive voice?
Yes. Example: “The data was displayed on the board.” - What are some idiomatic expressions involving synonyms of “displayed”?
“Put on a display,” “showed off,” “presented himself well,” “reveal one’s true colors,” “showcase talent.” - What is the difference between “demonstrated” and “presented”?
“Demonstrated” means to show by action or proof (skills, abilities), while “presented” means to give or show information, often formally.
12. Conclusion
In summary, the verb “displayed” and its many synonyms enrich English communication by allowing speakers and writers to select words that fit their specific purpose, audience, and tone. Understanding definitions, grammatical patterns, and subtle nuances helps avoid common errors and creates variety in both writing and speech.
Varying your synonym choices enhances clarity, precision, and engagement. By practicing with the examples, tables, and exercises provided in this guide, you will build confidence and sophistication in using English.
Integrate this awareness into your reading and writing habits for continuous improvement.
For further study, consider keeping a personal list of synonyms, noting their contexts and collocations, and regularly reviewing real-world examples in academic, business, and literary texts.