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

Helen McDade, one of Reform's 17 new MSPs, called for other parties to stop "posturing".

From BBC • May 11, 2026

After last week’s debate, there was lots of social media posturing about who won and who trolled whom the best.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 28, 2026

If “The Christophers” is to be believed, art that tries to imitate a certain style is little more than hollow, emotionless posturing.

From Salon • Apr. 17, 2026

Bragging, threatening, and posturing are all frowned upon.

From Slate • Apr. 13, 2026

I’m not afraid: That’s really all I wanted to be able to say, and to say it without posturing.

From "Tradition" by Brendan Kiely

Related Words

• charade
• cloak
• pretext
• semblance
• veneer