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
Relevance
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
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
Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 17 May 2024
Her character, Corrine, is bold and sparkly, the kind of showboat who leaps atop a bar to belt Wham!
—Amy Nicholson, Variety, 7 Sep. 2023
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
Keoghan’s performance is a bit of a showboat stunt (he’s supposed to be a terrible father but doesn’t seem like a father at all).
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 17 May 2024
Her character, Corrine, is bold and sparkly, the kind of showboat who leaps atop a bar to belt Wham!
—Amy Nicholson, Variety, 7 Sep. 2023
See All Example Sentences for showboat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for showboat
Verb
-
Designed by Jennifer Horev, a new market display will show off the company’s growing line of products, including protein bars, snacks, apparel, homeware and a signature scent.—
Connie Ogle,
Miami Herald,
13 May 2025
-
Another photo showed off her cute but casual outfit and grabbing a coffee with a friend before class.—
Esther Kang,
People.com,
13 May 2025
Noun
-
Tank Adams, is another favorite cowboy out of Oklahoma.—
Lynnette Nicholas,
Essence,
13 May 2025
-
South Florida Soul Rodeo 2025: Black cowboy culture and live R&B Beyonce’s Cowboy Carter Tour is not making a stop in Florida, but people will be partaking in cowboy culture at the South Florida Soul Rodeo this weekend.—
Raisa Habersham,
Miami Herald,
8 May 2025
Verb
-
How To Make Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole Prep bacon: To make this recipe even easier, cut up your bacon before cooking it.—
Mary Shannon Wells,
Southern Living,
10 May 2025
-
The government still leads all sectors in job cuts through the first four months of the year, with government cuts up 680% compared to the first four months of 2024.—
Molly Bohannon,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2025
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
Four people are facing charges in Louisiana for horsing around in a small-town Walmart last week. Video that was posted on TikTok and went viral on social media showed three men and a teenage boy riding horses through the business in Baker, Louisiana.—
Elizabeth Pritchett,
FOXNews.com,
16 Apr. 2025
-
Quit horsing around — the Clydesdales are back!—
Breanne L. Heldman,
People.com,
10 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
Key speeches are faithfully delivered to an audience of two, not thousands; a scene of soldiers destructively revelling on a bridge is given a different spirit by ironic, out-of-time horseplay.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
8 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
Before the players even reached the court, the home crowd roared as camera crews displayed the defending champions on the jumbotron.—
Fiifi Frimpong,
New York Daily News,
18 May 2025
-
Every time Dylan picked up a harmonica, the crowd roared.—
Brady Gerber,
HollywoodReporter,
17 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Showboat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/showboat. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share