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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Make a Statement with Lighting With its midcentury table, Lucite chairs, and bare white walls, the Kells' dining room is quite spare and restrained—all the better to show off a chandelier with a rainbow of glass teardrops.—
Amy Panos,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 June 2025
Noun
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Opposites attract in this story of a spoiled pop princess and a cowboy.—
Lorraine Berry,
Los Angeles Times,
27 May 2025
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The series will highlight the tense showdowns between lawmen and outlaws, the rise of cowboys and ranchers, the strength of pioneer women and the drive of abolitionists and fortune seekers who helped shape the American frontier.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
25 May 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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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
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Quit horsing around — the Clydesdales are back!—
Breanne L. Heldman,
People.com,
10 Feb. 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 10 Jun. 2025.
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