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
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
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In 2000, the company showed off the first Blu-ray prototypes and later revealed its Blu-ray disc recorders in 2006.—
Emma Roth,
The Verge,
24 Jan. 2025
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In 2023, the track was filled with its largest ever motorcycle parade and last year beach buggies assembled to show off on the track.—
Trinity Francis,
Forbes,
23 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Watch on Deadline Dusty is a quiet guy and O’Connor, probably not a casting director’s idea of a cowboy, really manages to show us who this young man is, often with just his forlorn facial expressions rather than the limited dialogue he is given in many scenes.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
26 Jan. 2025
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The Will Rodgers Foundation announced last week that the Palisades Fire claimed both historic homes of the famed cowboy actor and member of the Cherokee Nation.—
Russell Contreras,
Axios,
14 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Egg cartons can be cut up, painted, decorated, and glued to be turned into animals, flowers, containers, and whatever else children can dream up.—
Rabekah Henderson,
Southern Living,
19 Jan. 2025
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Separately, Terrence Hayes, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, offered condolences to the family of Victor Honey, a homeless veteran whose body was cut up and leased out to medical device companies and the Army without his consent or his relatives’ knowledge.—
Mike Hixenbaugh,
NBC News,
27 Dec. 2024
Noun
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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
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There’s no evidence to suggest that the bear went berserk after overdosing, as the trailer, which went viral in December, shows.—
Michael O'Sullivan,
Anchorage Daily News,
9 Feb. 2023
Verb
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The unidentified pre-teen was horsing around and throwing snowballs in Connecticut’s capital city with an 11-year-old friend, local ABC affiliate WTNH reported.—
Joseph Wilkinson,
New York Daily News,
23 Jan. 2025
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Among racing’s many problems is that there are no dedicated air shipping companies that make moving horses around the country easy.—
John Cherwa,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Another interesting finding from the clinical trial that was more recently reveled is the reduction of visceral fat.—
Yola Robert,
Forbes,
21 Jan. 2025
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Host Nikki Glaser, fresh from her successful emceeing duties, was seen reveling with fellow comedian Nate Bargatze, both basking in the evening’s triumphs.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
6 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Oklahoma fooled around with Houston long enough to escape with a narrow 16-12 win.—
Chase Goodbread,
The Tennessean,
18 Sep. 2024
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While the siblings have the habit of getting into troubles and to only use their creative skills to fool around, Michael sees in them a real talent.—
Maelle Beauget-Uhl,
Forbes,
5 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Westview then roared ahead to a 27-10 lead early in the second quarter.—
John Maffei,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Jan. 2025
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The crowd erupted when the public address announcer roared her name as pyrotechnics sparkled behind her, then Pauley Pavilion’s lower bowl did it once more when Chiles nailed her final pass for a team-high 9.950 in floor exercise and a meet-best 49.500 rotation score.—
Benjamin Royer,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near showboat
Cite this Entry
“Showboat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/showboat. Accessed 6 Feb. 2025.
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