exhibitionism

noun

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

Definition of exhibitionism

1a : 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

Other Words from exhibitionism Example Sentences Learn More about exhibitionism

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Other Words from exhibitionism

exhibitionist \ ˌek-sə-ˈbish-nist

, -ˈbi-shə- \ 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

Somewhere beyond exhibitionism and voyeurism—in the oceans beyond the bikinis and sunglasses—Instagram hints at the possibility of real intimacy with landscapes and humans. — Collier Meyerson, WIRED, "Instagram Is Sweet and Sort of Boring—but the Ads!," 24 June 2019 Her exhibitionism and honesty seem entirely normal for a now-adult Disney star trying to shed the suffocating image of a chirpy teenager. — Robin Abcarian, latimes.com, "Bella Thorne’s stolen nude selfies spark a debate about blame and slut-shaming," 21 June 2019 The drag queens and gender-nonbinary youth at such events can appear preoccupied with their own ecstatic exhibitionism. — Andrew Solomon, New York Times, "The First New York Pride March Was an Act of ‘Desperate Courage’," 27 June 2019 The film begins with diversion — a triangle involving Juan’s teenage son — and moves on to Juan’s voyeurism, encouraging Esther to fornication and exhibitionism. — Armond White, National Review, "Franco Zeffirelli: Unlikely Conservative Hero," 20 June 2019 The third episode focuses more on Kat, whose relationship to the internet is legitimately complicated, evolving between hermetic terror and righteous exhibitionism. — Darren Franich, EW.com, "HBO's teen shock-soap Euphoria is sweeter than you think: EW review," 14 June 2019 This cycle of mimetic exhibitionism holds even for metaphysical things like moral values, which in a world colonized by capitalism have become a wearable commodity. — Susan Crawford, WIRED, "Mark Zuckerberg Plays the Scapegoat for Our Facebook Sins," 17 Apr. 2018 With this kind of exhibitionism, de Waart had nothing to do. — Marcus Overton, sandiegouniontribune.com, "A master at work: Edo de Waart makes Mahlerian magic with San Diego Symphony," 10 Mar. 2018 Instead of the exhibitionism of peers like Tracey Emin or Damien Hirst, Mr. Hume practices self-restraint, modestly producing near-abstractions that opaquely deflect straightforward narratives or easy interpretations. — Barbara Pollack, New York Times, "Gary Hume Loves His Mother. His Art Is a Valentine to Her.," 27 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'exhibitionism.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.