Meaning & use

Posturing

noun·Advanced

Last updated

Behavior or speech intended to create a particular impression, often without sincere commitment, especially in politics or negotiation.

See it in a sentence

Critics dismissed the senator's tough talk as mere political posturing.

Beneath all the posturing, neither company wanted to risk a costly legal battle.

A note on using this word

Originally referred literally to adopting a physical posture, but it now mostly describes insincere or exaggerated behavior meant to impress or intimidate.

Words with a similar meaning

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

Another way to use it

2. verb

Assuming an exaggerated or affected physical or behavioral pose.

He was posturing for the cameras rather than answering the question.

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “Posturing”, then compare your use with the examples above.

Your draft stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.