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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of 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
Kevin Rector,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Nov. 2024
Fonseca found Barbosa to be a showboat on Instagram, sure, but also unfailingly polite and generous.
—
Lauren Smiley,
WIRED,
10 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for 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
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
Fonseca found Barbosa to be a showboat on Instagram, sure, but also unfailingly polite and generous.
—
Lauren Smiley,
WIRED,
10 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for showboat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for showboat
Verb
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Rancho Cucamonga gets to show off many of its top skill-position players.
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Creators on social media are showing off their dramatic tan lines and outdoor set-ups — some even forgoing sun protection or adding tanning bed sessions.
Noun
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The aim is the same the world over, but this rodeo is in Australia, where cattle stations dwarf even those in the United States, creating a familiar yet distinct cowboy culture.
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Top-name cowboys competed in the three days of bronc riding, bull dogging, bull riding and calf riding.
Verb
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Everything is cut up and put together through chance operations into what Cage called a Musicircus.
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During the matchup, Jeter dove into the stands in the top of the 12th inning to catch a foul ball, emerging from the crowd cut up and bruised.
Noun
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Haaland lifted his finger to his ear and looked into the crowd, where Norway fans were going berserk.
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Argentina strikes first in the 38th minute, and the massive Argentina faithful goes berserk inside the stadium.
Verb
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Ortiz navigated past 17 other horses around the final turn and made a hard charge down the stretch.
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Ortiz navigated past 17 other horses around the final turn and made a hard charge down the stretch.
Verb
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When the Black Queen’s message arrives in the Riverlands, the king consort, lil’ Oscar Tully, and their new pal Roddy the Ruin are busy reveling, making up ballads dedicated to their own derring-do.
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The pair sequester themselves in a shed while guests revel outside in the sunshine.
Verb
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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.
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Zeus did not approve of his daughter fooling around with this mortal roughneck hunter and put out a hit on Orion.
Verb
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San Francisco serves as a prime example of how the roaring AI industry is helping drive economic growth more broadly, but masking the economic inequality of lower-and-middle-income families.
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Hale pointed toward the sky and urged them to look up as three military jets roared above the crowd.
Cite this Entry
“Showboat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/showboat. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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