exhibitionism

[ek-suh-bish-uh-niz-uhm]

noun

1. a tendency to display one's abilities or to behave in such a way as to attract attention.

2. Psychiatry.,  a disorder characterized especially by a compulsion to exhibit the genitals in public.

exhibitionism

/ ˌɛksɪˈbɪʃəˌnɪzəm /

noun

1. a compulsive desire to attract attention to oneself, esp by absurd or exaggerated behaviour or boasting

2. psychiatry a compulsive desire to expose one's genital organs publicly

Other Word Forms

• nonexhibitionism noun
• exhibitionist noun
• exhibitionistic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of exhibitionism¹

First recorded in 1890–95; exhibition + -ism

Example Sentences

But, if protesting is just fruitless exhibitionism, as Teddy claims, and radical acts of direct action don’t seem to work any better, what is there to do if no one will listen?

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In the second case, a 45-year-old man carried out "uncontrolled acts of exhibitionism and indecent behaviour".

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She allows the camera into the sanctums of her tanning booth and facial treatment sessions, but there’s an exhibitionism in these moments instead of conveying honesty and openness.

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All of this gangster-like exhibitionism foreshadows what things will look like should the first authoritarian armed with an oligarchy of power and a crew of minions retake the Oval Office in 2025.

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“Some of my kinks include bondage, light B.D.S.M., role play, and exhibitionism,” she says.

Read more on New York Times