exhibitionism

noun

ex·​hi·​bi·​tion·​ism ˌek-sə-ˈbi-shə-ˌni-zəm 

1

a

: a perversion in which sexual gratification is obtained from the indecent exposure of one's genitals (as to a stranger)

b

: an act of such exposure

2

: the act or practice of behaving so as to attract attention to oneself

exhibitionist

ˌek-sə-ˈbi-sh(ə-)nist 

noun or adjective

exhibitionistic

ˌek-sə-ˌbi-shə-ˈni-stik 

adjective

exhibitionistically

ˌek-sə-ˌbi-shə-ˈni-sti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of exhibitionism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Babe, that’s cosmic exhibitionism. —Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 12 Oct. 2025

The mainstream consensus solidified: The robbery was karma, comeuppance, a corrective to all that vacuous extravagance and clueless exhibitionism. —Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 19 May 2025

The results interrogate pearl-clutching assumptions of private and public realms, embracing voyeurism and exhibitionism as underlying tensions. —Sam Cochran, Architectural Digest, 15 Jan. 2025

The lack of dramatic clarity is a trendy form of incoherent exhibitionism. —Armond White, National Review, 3 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for exhibitionism

• absolutism
• adventurism
• aestheticism
• africanism
• agnosticism
• alcoholism
• anabolism
• anachronism
• anglicanism
• antagonism
• arianism
• asceticism

Medical Definition

exhibitionism

noun

ex·​hi·​bi·​tion·​ism ˌek-sə-ˈbish-ə-niz-əm 

1

a

: a perversion marked by a tendency to indecent exposure

b

: an act of such exposure

2

: the act or practice of behaving so as to attract attention to oneself