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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of showboat
Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 21 Nov. 2024
Fonseca found Barbosa to be a showboat on Instagram, sure, but also unfailingly polite and generous.
—Lauren Smiley, WIRED, 10 July 2024
John Shea, San Francisco Chronicle, 16 Apr. 2022
But that was neither showboating nor talking trash.
—Dalton Ross, EW.com, 1 Apr. 2020
See All Example Sentences for showboat
Verb
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
Fonseca found Barbosa to be a showboat on Instagram, sure, but also unfailingly polite and generous.
—Lauren Smiley, WIRED, 10 July 2024
Noun
Don’t showboat around the bases.
—John Shea, San Francisco Chronicle, 16 Apr. 2022
But that was neither showboating nor talking trash.
—Dalton Ross, EW.com, 1 Apr. 2020
See All Example Sentences for showboat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for showboat
Verb
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This Donde Esteban number is the ultimate summer wrap dress with its flattering shape and mini length to show off your legs this season.—
Rana Good,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
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Drake posted a mirror selfie in front of his bar on his Instagram on June 28, which showed off his fitness regimen along with his six-pack of abs.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
30 June 2025
Noun
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Maybe that’s why, 20 years on, the film still feels devastatingly real: The delusion is not unique to two cowboys on a mountain.—
Philip Martin,
Arkansas Online,
27 June 2025
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Until then, so long, cowboy. Head-turn of the century (episode 14) Jeremiah appears to deliberate until the last second before deciding to recouple with bombshell Iris, leaving Huda single and vulnerable.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
21 June 2025
Verb
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Other parts of the plan to cut up to $37 million from TSU's budget include reductions in non-instructional staff that would save $6-7 million and instructional staff cuts that would account for another $5-6 million.—
Rachel Wegner,
The Tennessean,
2 July 2025
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National media reports in the last few weeks indicated Trump will dissolve the EPA's Office of Research and Development and cut up to 75% of its jobs.—
Scott Wartman,
The Enquirer,
2 July 2025
Noun
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There’s an arming-up montage in which every regular person stranded on a cursed island filled with undead is suddenly a tactical weapons expert, and that leads into a berserker sequence featuring actual game footage cut into the movie.—
Jordan Crucchiola,
Vulture,
4 Apr. 2025
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This annual meteor shower tends to go berserk every 33 years, but sadly, the next bonanza isn't due until 2032-33, according to Sky At Night.—
Jamie Carter,
Space.com,
29 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Umberto Rispoli squeezed between horses around the top of the stretch and then rode Journalism to a tremendous rally.—
Baltimore Sun staff,
Baltimore Sun,
24 May 2025
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Fayetteville Sad Palomino’s Will King releases a collection of home recordings In between horsing around with his longtime band Sad Palomino, Will King has been recording and trying to decide the best way to share songs, mostly written during winters from 2020 to 2025.—
Monica Hooper,
Arkansas Online,
25 May 2025
Verb
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Milan’s Chukwueze revelled on this stage, exciting fans further with a number skilful runs on the ball.—
Eduardo Tansley,
New York Times,
1 June 2025
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First up, while people are revelling following the verdict, the emotional intensity of reaction can be traced to a sense of loss.—
Callum Booth,
Forbes,
19 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Those have come from two players: Adrian Morejon of the San Diego Padres, who throws an odd knuckleball-changeup hybrid about 1 percent of the time, and Jonah Bride of the Minnesota Twins, an infielder fooling around with the knuckler in blowouts.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
19 June 2025
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As Molly and Guy start to fool around, things get hot and heavy, but Ernie has a job to do.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Jurassic World Rebirth, the seventh title in the series, is roaring even louder overseas, where its estimated opening is $171.3 million.—
Pamela McClintock,
HollywoodReporter,
5 July 2025
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The fans, kept in suspense about Roberts’ decision, roared when Kershaw stepped out of the dugout and jogged to the mound.—
Dan Freedman,
Forbes.com,
3 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Showboat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/showboat. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.
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