show up
verb
showed up; shown up or showed up; showing up; shows up
1
: to expose or discredit especially by revealing faults
showed them up as frauds
… it showed him up for the irrelevant and offensive person he really is …—
Owen Bennett
Owen Bennett2
: to embarrass or cause to look bad especially by comparison
trying to show up the boss
The offensive line has been sub par with the defensive line showing them up for at least a few days.—James Anderson
James Anderson3
: reveal
showed up my ignorance
1
b
: to become involved with others and make an active contribution
But what we have to remind ourselves, and each other, is that our democracy only works for us if we show up.—America Ferrera
America Ferrera
also
: to provide help and support for someone
If you're in a position to defend and protect someone who is a victim of abuse, then do it … Show up for them. —Sa'iyda Shabazz
Sa'iyda Shabazz 2
: to be plainly evident
… [Woody Hayes] cared so much about people. That showed up in the way he did things in the community, the way he lent his name to charity events.—Kyle Rowland
Kyle RowlandExamples of show up in a Sentence
normally, one doesn't see them, but the actress's wrinkles show up in the close-ups
the band showed up an hour late
Recent Examples on the Web
Tickets have started showing up on broker sites.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 27 Oct. 2025
But sometimes there is no choice but to slow flights down so the controllers who show up can maintain safety.
—Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2025
This man doesn’t need to show up.
—Essence, 27 Oct. 2025
Since menstruating people ovulate once a month, cysts show up and usually go away on their own after the menstrual cycle or after pregnancy.
—Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, Flow Space, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for show up
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Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 27 Oct. 2025
But sometimes there is no choice but to slow flights down so the controllers who show up can maintain safety.
—Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2025
This man doesn’t need to show up.
—Essence, 27 Oct. 2025
Since menstruating people ovulate once a month, cysts show up and usually go away on their own after the menstrual cycle or after pregnancy.
—Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, Flow Space, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for show up
Cite this Entry
“Show up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/show%20up. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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