posturing

[pos-cher-ing]

noun

1. speech or action that is artificial, hypocritical, or calculated to mislead.

   I'm fed up with the reaching-across-the-aisle posturing intended to make politicians seem like they’re working hard for bipartisan reform.

adjective

1. engaging in or characterized by such speech or behavior.

   He cynically believes that anybody trying to live up to an ideal is either a posturing liar or a simple-minded fool.

Word History and Origins

Origin of posturing¹

First recorded in 1620–30; postur(e) ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. ) for the noun; postur(e) ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. ) for the adjective

Example Sentences

Underscoring the political debate—and posturing—is an awareness of the outsize role that air-travel problems played in bringing about the end of the last government shutdown in 2019.

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Responding to the result of the motion, a Labour Party spokesperson said: "This is nothing more than political posturing from a group that is not serious about the future of Doncaster's airport."

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Against that backdrop, some in the pro-Palestinian camp are questioning the sincerity and efficacy of the Australian government's posturing towards Israel.

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The sandwich case was meant to be a show of strength; instead, it is serving as a symbol of the administration’s superficial posturing.

Read more on Salon

"The responsibility now lies on the Israeli side to respond to an offer that is on the table. Anything else is political posturing," said foreign ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari.

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Related Words

• charade 
• cloak 
• pretext 
• semblance 
• veneer