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

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

But what’s hard to take is Snyder’s excessive exhibitionism, modeled after the Heavy Metal comic books, introducing dark fantasy, science fiction, violence, and erotica to stimulate Rebel Moon’s revamp of the kid-friendly Star Wars series. —Armond White, National Review, 7 Aug. 2024

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