exhibitionism

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

Updated on: 26 Apr 2018

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

play \ˌek-sə-ˈbish-nist, -ˈbi-shə-\ noun or adjective

—

exhibitionistic

play \ˌek-sə-ˌbi-shə-ˈni-stik\ adjective

—

exhibitionistically

play \ˌek-sə-ˌbi-shə-ˈni-sti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

See exhibitionism defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of exhibitionism from the Web

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
By all means, go to mother! and enjoy its roller-coaster-of-weird exhibitionism.

— laura beck, Cosmopolitan, "13 Times Critics Couldn't Believe How Weird JLaw's New Movie Mother! Is," 12 Sep. 2017
As the pendulum swings toward maximalism, a look characterized by a profusion of pattern and design exhibitionism, the candid expressiveness of nudes seems fresh.

— julie lasky, WSJ, "Hanging Nude Paintings in Your Home: So Out, They’re In," 27 July 2017
His Lola perfectly epitomized the classic drag queen’s panache for exhibitionism and camp.

— tirdad derakhshani, Philly.com, "Jos N. Banks kills it as drag queen Lola in 'Kinky Boots' at Academy of Music," 4 Oct. 2017
Officials have also noted that voyeurism and exhibitionism will not be tolerated.

— brigit katz, Smithsonian, "Parisian Nudists Get Designated Area to Frolic “au Naturel”," 31 Aug. 2017
Novogratz conveys Spike’s proclivity for exhibitionism and incessant yet shallow sunniness, and Keri Hellmuth aptly portrays Sonia and Vanya’s sometimes precognitive cleaning woman, aptly named Cassandra, as a comically eccentric misfit.

— Orange County Register, "Durang channels Chekhov with ‘Vanya and Sonia’ in Fullerton," 17 Jan. 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.

First Known Use of exhibitionism

1891

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

EXHIBITIONISM Defined for English Language Learners

exhibitionism

noun

: behavior that is meant to attract attention to yourself

Medical Dictionary

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

Learn More about exhibitionism

See words that rhyme with exhibitionism Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about exhibitionism

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up exhibitionism? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

exhibitionism

exhibitionist

exhibitionistic

exhibitionistically

Recent Examples of exhibitionism from the Web

First Known Use of exhibitionism

EXHIBITIONISM Defined for English Language Learners

exhibitionism

Medical Dictionary

exhibitionism

Learn More about exhibitionism

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

homogeneous

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

'Deprived' vs. 'Depraved'

'Folksonomy': Let’s Get Organized

12 Words from All Over the Map

'Ingenious' and 'Ingenuous': More Than a Typo

Ask the Editors

Ghost Word

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

Literally

Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

Word Games

May 2018 Words of the Day Quiz

Words Used by Nabokov Quiz

Name That Thing

Dictionary Devil

'Deprived' vs. 'Depraved'

May 2018 Words of the Day Quiz

12 Words from All Over the Map

Trending: Melania Trump Undergoes 'Embolization'

Ghost Word

exhibitionism

exhibitionist

exhibitionistic

exhibitionistically

Recent Examples of exhibitionism from the Web

First Known Use of exhibitionism

EXHIBITIONISM Defined for English Language Learners

exhibitionism

Medical Dictionary

exhibitionism

Learn More about exhibitionism

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

'Deprived' vs. 'Depraved'

May 2018 Words of the Day Quiz

12 Words from All Over the Map

Trending: Melania Trump Undergoes 'Embolization'

Ghost Word