showboat 1 of 2

Definition of showboatnext
as in to show off
to engage in attention-getting playful or boisterous behavior the gymnast was showboating for the cameras when she lost her balance and fell

Synonyms & Similar Words

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showboat

2 of 2

noun

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of showboat
Verb
After taking a 3-1 lead in extra time, France began to showboat. Peter Carline, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2026 This year showboats a trio of headliners that represent musical innovation and the contagious spirit of dance. Malik Peay, Essence, 12 June 2025
Noun
Stephanie Weeks, a Black actress and director who is a frequent Target Margin collaborator, wears one of these WHITE sashes as Julie, the showboat’s leading lady, as does Edwin Joseph, playing her husband and co-star, Steve. Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 21 Jan. 2025 Still, the factor that may have been most harmful were his relationships with fellow Republican lawmakers, who regarded him as an empty showboat willing to hurt the party to gain attention. Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 21 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for showboat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for showboat
Verb
  • Making the most of a second shot Gill, known throughout his career as a special teams contributor, is hoping to show off his defensive chops in camp.
    Mike Kaye July 27, Charlotte Observer, 27 July 2026
  • Commercials showed off sleek and imposing vehicles with four-wheel drive going off-roading through rugged terrain, adding some aspiration to a Tuesday night baseball practice pick-up .
    Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 26 July 2026
Noun
  • The show has now been replaced by season 2 of Ransom Canyon, the romance drama which is not the cowboy shoot-em-up that the title may imply.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026
  • Introspection is hardly foreign to country music, but Langley’s coolly reflective approach stands out in a genre defined by social collisions—by scenes of cowboys and cowgirls settling scores.
    Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 23 July 2026
Verb
  • Use leftover cheese scraps, cut up, in pasta salad, melted in macaroni and cheese, or add to snack boxes.
    Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 July 2026
  • The director planned to film the killing of a live donkey, which would be cut up for food by actors portraying laborers.
    Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 7 July 2026
Noun
  • Haaland lifted his finger to his ear and looked into the crowd, where Norway fans were going berserk.
    Tim Rohan, NBC news, 23 June 2026
  • Argentina strikes first in the 38th minute, and the massive Argentina faithful goes berserk inside the stadium.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 June 2026
Verb
  • Ortiz navigated past 17 other horses around the final turn and made a hard charge down the stretch.
    Stephen Whyno, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 May 2026
  • What followed was a playful back-and-forth, with the two monkeys horsing around in a way that had the comment sections absolutely buzzing.
    Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 19 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • And on Wednesday, here in Atlanta, the Argentines turned a tourist attraction called Underground Atlanta into Underground Argentina, reveling with drums, chants, and dancing after beating England, 2-1, to earn a place in the championship game.
    Patrik Jonsson, Christian Science Monitor, 18 July 2026
  • Walker wore his Cardinals hat backward, chewed a big wad of bubble gum and reveled afterward in flashing his imitation Liberty Bell bling, the champions chain presented by Ryan Howard.
    Dan Gelston, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2026
Verb
  • Another horny couple on vacation couldn’t wait until their flight landed to fool around and insisted on doing so in the plane's cabin.
    Sean Joseph OutKick, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Zeus did not approve of his daughter fooling around with this mortal roughneck hunter and put out a hit on Orion.
    Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 8 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The crowd roared with every pass Stafford completed on Monday at Loyola Marymount.
    Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 28 July 2026
  • Strobe lights zigzag across the room and confetti rains down as Ruffin blasts a smoke cannon into the roaring crowd.
    Olivia Wakim, AJC.com, 27 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Showboat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/showboat. Accessed 30 Jul. 2026.

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