posturing

American  

[pos-cher-ing] / ˈpɒs tʃər ɪŋ /

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.

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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.

Etymology

Origin of posturing

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

The Microsoft-owned site was long used primarily for job hunting and corporate posturing—but data show people are now scrolling longer.

From The Wall Street Journal

Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski wrote on X, “I continue to hope the administration’s rhetoric on Greenland is nothing more than posturing for a new era of cooperation.”

From Salon

But behind the powdered-wig posturing and fusty adherence to tradition lies his radical idea: Progress is impossible without a past.

From The Wall Street Journal

After months of negotiations and public posturing, USC and Notre Dame have failed to reach an agreement to continue their rivalry series.

From Los Angeles Times

In 2014 a Needham & Co. analyst said in an email: “My whole life is about posturing for the Toys R Us IPO.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• charade
• cloak
• pretext
• semblance
• veneer