showboat 1 of 2

verb

Definition of showboatnext
as in to show off
to engage in attention-getting playful or boisterous behavior the gymnast was showboating for the cameras when she lost her balance and fell

Synonyms & Similar Words

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showboat

2 of 2

noun

as in cowboy

Related Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of showboat
Verb
After taking a 3-1 lead in extra time, France began to showboat. — Peter Carline, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2026 This year showboats a trio of headliners that represent musical innovation and the contagious spirit of dance. — Malik Peay, Essence, 12 June 2025
Noun
Stephanie Weeks, a Black actress and director who is a frequent Target Margin collaborator, wears one of these WHITE sashes as Julie, the showboat’s leading lady, as does Edwin Joseph, playing her husband and co-star, Steve. — Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 21 Jan. 2025 Still, the factor that may have been most harmful were his relationships with fellow Republican lawmakers, who regarded him as an empty showboat willing to hurt the party to gain attention. — Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 21 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for showboat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for showboat
  1. show off
  2. cowboy
  3. cut up
  4. berserk
  5. horse around
  6. revel
  7. fool around
  8. roar
Verb
  • Naturally, Vicki does not participate in any of the gyrating or the splits that Kyle and Lisa dutifully show off.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Many stars, including Hathaway, have been embracing maternity dressing that shows off their bumps, rather than eclipsing them with boxy silhouettes.
    — Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of show off
Noun
  • Don your spiffiest ten-gallon hat and boots, bring your whole family, and experience cowboy core like never before.
    — Wendy Altschuler, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Everyone chuckled, especially our Argentinian hosts, who had never met an Idaho cowboy quite like True before.
    — Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of cowboy
Verb
  • One of the women was cut up and wearing a bathing suit while Kovalcik was shirtless.
    — Robert McGreevy, FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Sporting Kansas City joined the vanquished Galaxy and Real Salt Lake on Saturday as LAFC cut up the last-place team in the Western Conference, 4-0.
    — Josh Gross, Daily News, 26 July 2026
Definition of cut up
Noun
  • Haaland lifted his finger to his ear and looked into the crowd, where Norway fans were going berserk.
    — Tim Rohan, NBC news, 23 June 2026
  • Argentina strikes first in the 38th minute, and the massive Argentina faithful goes berserk inside the stadium.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 June 2026
Definition of berserk
Verb
  • After horsing around, peruse the quilt displays, agriculture exhibits and arts-and-crafts competitions.
    — Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Ortiz navigated past 17 other horses around the final turn and made a hard charge down the stretch.
    — Stephen Whyno, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 May 2026
Definition of horse around
Verb
  • Right in the middle of cheering, reveling masses was MARTA — a connective system of veins that efficiently moved the happy throngs.
    — Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Mary Murphy, a young reporter from Queens, had been at Shea that night, reveling with her sisters in the upper loge section along the first-base line.
    — Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 31 July 2026
Definition of revel
Verb
  • As Marshall and Alice consider one another and then start to fool around, the sequence feels organic and dangerous without being forced.
    — Erin Qualey, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Another horny couple on vacation couldn’t wait until their flight landed to fool around and insisted on doing so in the plane's cabin.
    — Sean Joseph OutKick, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Definition of fool around
Verb
  • However, the group has come roaring back as Wall Street increasingly views AI as a reason companies will need to spend more, not less, on protection from digital threats.
    — Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Video shot by OnScene TV on August 9 showed people rushing in and out of the store, some carrying merchandise, as roaring engines and squealing tires are heard in the background.
    — David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of roar

Browse Nearby Words

showbiz
showboat
showboated
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Showboat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/showboat. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on showboat

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about showboat

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