showboat 1 of 2

Definition of showboatnext
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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showboat

2 of 2

noun

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
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
Stephanie Weeks, a Black actress and director who is a frequent Target Margin collaborator, wears one of these WHITE sashes as Julie, the showboat’s leading lady, as does Edwin Joseph, playing her husband and co-star, Steve. Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 21 Jan. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for showboat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for showboat
Verb
  • The Canadian singer caused a commotion with her ensemble, showing off a head-to-toe Alaïa ensemble from the upcoming Archetypes spring 2027 collection.
    Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The new couple—who have been linked since they were photographed together at Coachella—dined around the city, showing off their coordinating couple style.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 29 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Her father, William Preston Bowling, who plays the elderly cowboy with the oxygen tank, was with her.
    Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026
  • But Woody the cowboy doll and Buzz Lightyear the action figure are not among the group assembled here.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • What parents can do on hectic mornings Nemours recommends doing as much as possible the night before, from setting out dishes to cutting up fruit.
    Ashley Lynch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Mix a package of instant potatoes with a half packet of stuffing mix and some cut up salami.
    Diana Helmuth, Outdoor Life, 20 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Haaland lifted his finger to his ear and looked into the crowd, where Norway fans were going berserk.
    Tim Rohan, NBC news, 23 June 2026
  • Argentina strikes first in the 38th minute, and the massive Argentina faithful goes berserk inside the stadium.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 June 2026
Verb
  • Also, don’t get too out of control horsing around with friends in the water.
    John Natale, Hartford Courant, 16 Aug. 2026
  • According to McGrady, the only royal who didn’t enjoy the time away in the Highlands was the late Princess Diana, who didn’t fit in with the family’s outdoorsy vibes and didn’t enjoy riding horses around the property due to a fall as a child.
    Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 12 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Right in the middle of cheering, reveling masses was MARTA — a connective system of veins that efficiently moved the happy throngs.
    Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Mary Murphy, a young reporter from Queens, had been at Shea that night, reveling with her sisters in the upper loge section along the first-base line.
    Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 31 July 2026
Verb
  • As Marshall and Alice consider one another and then start to fool around, the sequence feels organic and dangerous without being forced.
    Erin Qualey, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
  • 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.
    Sean Joseph OutKick, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • But as Santos Bravos sang the opening verses in English, the crowd roared with approval — especially as lead vocalist Kauê Penna, who hails from Brazil, slid onstage to take on the high parts of BTS lead Jungkook.
    Christine Terrisse, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026
  • The power outages caused by storms that roared through the region nearly two weeks ago have one resident of this Rust Belt city literally gasping for air.
    Selina Guevara, NBC news, 24 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Showboat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/showboat. Accessed 31 Aug. 2026.

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