showboat 1 of 2

verb

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

as in cowboy

Related Words

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
  1. show off
  2. cowboy
  3. cut up
  4. berserk
  5. horse around
  6. revel
  7. fool around
  8. roar
Verb
  • But showing off or gussying things up is the last thing on Anderson’s mind; high concepts aren’t listed on the program.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Football season is officially underway, and showing off your team spirit can go way beyond throwing on a jersey.
    — Casey DelBasso, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of show off
Noun
  • Snoopy and Woodstock line the outside of the bowl in costumes like cowboys, mummies, bandits, and witches.
    — Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Macho Cowboy At the top of the pinnacle of power within the telenovela structure is the macho cowboy whose high emotional expressions of jealousy, anger, and confrontation are accepted as passionate acts of strength or romantic gestures.
    — Damaly Gonzalez, ARTnews.com, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of cowboy
Verb
  • Rifkin also open a bag containing Machado’s black bra and purple T-shirt, both of which were cut up by scissors.
    — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Duke Energy crews are working to cut up the tree and replace the pole, officials said.
    — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of cut up
Noun
  • To top it off, iconic moves like the drill claw and berserker barrage are trapped behind individual cooldown meters.
    — Gabriel Zamora, PC Magazine, 10 Sep. 2026
  • 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
Definition of berserk
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
Definition of horse around
Verb
  • The video sweeps around a reveling fiefdom, showing everyone from peasants to dukes partying and getting it on.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Navarrete reveled with one woman over her husband’s release from a detention facility.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of revel
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
Definition of fool around
Verb
  • The hometown crowd roared as Clark emerged alongside Wallen, but the appearance immediately dragged her back into the cultural and racial debates that had followed her since entering the WNBA.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Software stocks roared back from their artificial intelligence-driven sell off, while chip names cooled after a massive first-half run.
    — Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of roar

Browse Nearby Words

showbiz
showboat
showboated
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Showboat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/showboat. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on showboat

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about showboat

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