posturing

[ pos-cher-ing ]

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.

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of posturing¹

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

But she said her row with the Treasury over the time it was taking to issue compensation last August was not just a case of her "posturing".

From BBC

He said this could be seen as "soft power" or "posturing".

From BBC

Trump’s hypermasculine posturing and bullying behavior is merely an exaggerated version of a dynamic that was there all along.

From Salon

But this Big Daddy posturing was his central theme.

From Slate

After defending a triangle choke attempt, Ngannou took control, posturing up and launching a series of ground strikes down on a helpless Ferreira.

From BBC