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Definitions

posturing

[pos-cher-ing] / ˈpɒs tʃər ɪŋ /
ADJECTIVE
camp
Synonyms
STRONG
affected arch avant-garde in mod pop wild
WEAK
Daliesque artificial far-out mannered ostentatious
Antonyms
STRONG
approved boring common customary normal ordinary standard
NOUN
acting
Synonyms
STRONG
assuming characterization depiction dramatics dramatizing enacting enactment feigning hamming histrionics imitating imitation impersonation improvisation mime mimicry pantomime performance playing portrayal portraying posing pretending pretense putting rendition seeming simulating stagecraft stooging theatre theatricals
WEAK
play acting showing off
NOUN
pose
Synonyms
STRONGEST
mannerism mien posture
STRONG
act affectation air attitude attitudinizing bearing carriage facade fake front guise masquerade pretense pretension role stance stand
WEAK
false show positure
Antonyms
STRONG
honesty reality truth
WEAK
movement
NOUN
pretense
Synonyms
STRONGEST
charade cloak pretext semblance veneer
STRONG
act acting affectation appearance artifice claim deceit deception display dissimulation double-dealing evasion excuse fabrication facade fakery falsification feigning gag guise insincerity invention make believe mask masquerade misrepresentation misstatement ostentation posing pretentiousness routine ruse schtick sham shuffling simulation stall stunt subterfuge trickery veil wile
WEAK
dumb act faking
Antonyms
STRONGEST
reality
STRONG
frankness honesty honor openness quiet simplicity truth truthfulness uprightness

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Bragging, threatening, and posturing are all frowned upon.

From Slate • Apr. 13, 2026

In a “risk-on” market, investors rush to buy up stocks that had been especially beaten down during prior bouts of defensive posturing, noted Cantor Fitzgerald’s C.J.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 8, 2026

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

From BBC • Mar. 15, 2026

“There’s a lot of posturing of, ‘We want to seem like a leader in federal AI adoption,’” one said.

From Salon • Feb. 2, 2026

He turns his chair away from me but doesn’t get up to leave, which means he’s just posturing now.

From "Challenger Deep" by Neal Shusterman