Kabuki
noun
Ka·bu·ki
kə-ˈbü-kē 
ˈkä-bü-(ˌ)kē
ˈkä-bü-(ˌ)kē
: traditional Japanese popular drama performed with highly stylized singing and dancing
Examples of Kabuki in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
For now, all the Kremlin’s public statements about being willing to negotiate are merely Kabuki theater designed to paint Moscow in a favorable light in order to undermine international support for Ukraine.
—
Branislav L. Slantchev, Foreign Affairs, 1 Apr. 2024
Some observers speculate that Putin, an impenetrable and often seemingly isolated figure, is the only person who fully believed the Kabuki theater of Russia’s election.
—Catherine Belton, Washington Post, 18 Mar. 2024
In the tradition of Kabuki theater, actors paint this same white makeup on.
—Lizz Schumer, Peoplemag, 9 Mar. 2024
Backstage, Jade Cargill confronted Damage CTRL after their attack on Bayley.
Dakota Kai and Bayley vs. Kabuki Warriors Grade: B
Carlito Def.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024
The final Kabuki dance move is the passage of the final budget by June 15th.
—Jon Coupal, Orange County Register, 25 Feb. 2024
Details: 3½ stars; opens Feb. 16 at the Kabuki in San Francisco, Feb. 23 at the Smith Rafael Center in San Rafael and March 1 at the Roxie in San Francisco.
—Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 14 Feb. 2024
Ortiz arrived in Kansas City in 1990 from Mexico and got a job washing and busing dishes at Kabuki, a Japanese restaurant in Crown Center.
—Katie Moore, Kansas City Star, 19 Jan. 2024
During the taping this week, her guest was Kankuro Nakamura VI, a sixth-generation Kabuki actor whose father and grandfather were also regular visitors on Ms. Kuroyanagi’s couch.
—Motoko Rich, New York Times, 19 Jan. 2024
Branislav L. Slantchev, Foreign Affairs, 1 Apr. 2024
Some observers speculate that Putin, an impenetrable and often seemingly isolated figure, is the only person who fully believed the Kabuki theater of Russia’s election.
—Catherine Belton, Washington Post, 18 Mar. 2024
In the tradition of Kabuki theater, actors paint this same white makeup on.
—Lizz Schumer, Peoplemag, 9 Mar. 2024
Backstage, Jade Cargill confronted Damage CTRL after their attack on Bayley.
Dakota Kai and Bayley vs. Kabuki Warriors Grade: B
Carlito Def.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024
The final Kabuki dance move is the passage of the final budget by June 15th.
—Jon Coupal, Orange County Register, 25 Feb. 2024
Details: 3½ stars; opens Feb. 16 at the Kabuki in San Francisco, Feb. 23 at the Smith Rafael Center in San Rafael and March 1 at the Roxie in San Francisco.
—Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 14 Feb. 2024
Ortiz arrived in Kansas City in 1990 from Mexico and got a job washing and busing dishes at Kabuki, a Japanese restaurant in Crown Center.
—Katie Moore, Kansas City Star, 19 Jan. 2024
During the taping this week, her guest was Kankuro Nakamura VI, a sixth-generation Kabuki actor whose father and grandfather were also regular visitors on Ms. Kuroyanagi’s couch.
—Motoko Rich, New York Times, 19 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Kabuki.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Japanese
First Known Use
1899, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near Kabuki
Cite this Entry
“Kabuki.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Kabuki. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
Kabuki
noun
Ka·bu·ki
kə-ˈbü-kē
ˈkäb-u̇-(ˌ)kē
ˈkäb-u̇-(ˌ)kē
: traditional popular Japanese drama with singing and dancing
More from Merriam-Webster on Kabuki
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about Kabuki
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