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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of showboat
Justin Chang, chicagotribune.com, 12 Sep. 2019
Three quarters of sleepwalking, showboating and unwatchable basketball, followed by one quarter of the most intense and least-artistic basketball of the season.
—Scott Ostler, SFChronicle.com, 16 Feb. 2020
Lauren Smiley, WIRED, 10 July 2024
Latimer attacked Bowman as a showboat who cared more about building a national profile on the far left than his district.
—Colby Itkowitz, Washington Post, 26 June 2024
See All Example Sentences for showboat
Verb
There are no showboating gestures here, only a bone-deep commitment to showing us the lives of individuals often relegated to the cinematic sidelines, to the extent that the movies even notice them all.
—Justin Chang, chicagotribune.com, 12 Sep. 2019
Three quarters of sleepwalking, showboating and unwatchable basketball, followed by one quarter of the most intense and least-artistic basketball of the season.
—Scott Ostler, SFChronicle.com, 16 Feb. 2020
Noun
Fonseca found Barbosa to be a showboat on Instagram, sure, but also unfailingly polite and generous.
—Lauren Smiley, WIRED, 10 July 2024
Latimer attacked Bowman as a showboat who cared more about building a national profile on the far left than his district.
—Colby Itkowitz, Washington Post, 26 June 2024
See All Example Sentences for showboat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for showboat
Verb
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Kim Kardashian's oldest daughter North West has a new look The 11-year-old showed off her vibrant blue hair on her mom's Instagram account Kardashian shares her four kids with ex-husband, Kanye West Kim Kardashian's oldest daughter has a brand new look.—
Hannah Sacks,
People.com,
6 June 2025
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There’s, of course, a one-click way to buy the game your friend is showing off to capitalize on FOMO.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
5 June 2025
Noun
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How to Stream Season 7 of the Reality Dating Show Season 7 of the beloved dating show kicked off on June 3, and the cast of young singles looking for love included a diverse group, including a cowboy from Oklahoma City and a barista from Hawaii.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
People.com,
6 June 2025
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Everyone did an intensive cowboy camp before Yellowstone began, something that has continued in prep for each show in the Yellowstone-verse.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
3 June 2025
Verb
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The mower can cut up to a full acre on a single charge.—
Christopher Murray
may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom.,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2025
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Old towels cut up into rags do a great job of removing this soft flux once the copper pipe is cool enough to touch.—
Tim Carter,
Hartford Courant,
31 May 2025
Noun
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There’s an arming-up montage in which every regular person stranded on a cursed island filled with undead is suddenly a tactical weapons expert, and that leads into a berserker sequence featuring actual game footage cut into the movie.—
Jordan Crucchiola,
Vulture,
4 Apr. 2025
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This annual meteor shower tends to go berserk every 33 years, but sadly, the next bonanza isn't due until 2032-33, according to Sky At Night.—
Jamie Carter,
Space.com,
29 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Fayetteville Sad Palomino’s Will King releases a collection of home recordings In between horsing around with his longtime band Sad Palomino, Will King has been recording and trying to decide the best way to share songs, mostly written during winters from 2020 to 2025.—
Monica Hooper,
Arkansas Online,
25 May 2025
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The sport requires a combination of elegance and toughness as a team of eight girls wear long gowns, perfectly matching accessories and impeccable makeup while riding horses around an arena.—
Daniel Eduardo Hernandez,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Milan’s Chukwueze revelled on this stage, exciting fans further with a number skilful runs on the ball.—
Eduardo Tansley,
New York Times,
1 June 2025
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First up, while people are revelling following the verdict, the emotional intensity of reaction can be traced to a sense of loss.—
Callum Booth,
Forbes,
19 Feb. 2025
Verb
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As Molly and Guy start to fool around, things get hot and heavy, but Ernie has a job to do.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
7 Apr. 2025
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As Molly and Guy start to fool around, things get hot and heavy, but Ernie has a job to do.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Rabb grabbed the ball and raced up the left sideline, roaring past four defenders who had been caught flat-footed while focusing on James.—
Bruce Feldman,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
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As revolutions roared and factories rose, human worth became increasingly tied to productivity.—
Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Showboat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/showboat. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.
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