Showing results for "posturing"

• present participle of posture.

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

See Examples For:

posturing

It’s also possible that the hints about export controls are diplomatic posturing by the Chinese government, intended to discourage the U.S. from imposing any restrictions on its technological freedoms.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 21, 2026

And we, as hosts, have shown them that America is so much more than the sum of our current government’s policies and posturing.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 1, 2026

How many pre-fight interviews now involved personal insults, aggressive posturing, the desire to settle a score—how many post-fight speeches involved aggressive call-outs, rather than thank-yous to their coaches or families or God.

From Slate ● Jun. 14, 2026

United felt the German giants were posturing and would let Sancho leave regardless.

From BBC ● Mar. 15, 2026

He had a tendency to play the tough soldier role, always posturing, always puffing himself up, and on occasion he took it way too far.

From "The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien

Related Words

• charade
• cloak
• pretext
• semblance
• veneer