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

In between the razzle-dazzle of his card tricks and puzzles, he explained why it’s crucial to read the audience’s posture, hand positions, and gestures when delivering a presentation.

From Quartz

While the cerebrum is responsible for higher cognitive functions like vision, hearing, and thinking, the cerebellum integrates sensory data and governs movement, balance, and posture.

From Singularity Hub 

Today my posture is better than it has ever been—and feels better—all day long.

From Fortune

I also noted their postures, their proximity to one another, and which way they were looking at every moment.

From Freakonomics

It’s unclear what effect that shortage would have on future rates, because the Fed might take more extraordinary measures to hold its benchmark artificially low, a posture that could depress yields on all bonds.

From Fortune

It was a new voice, and in contrast to the ham-handed posturing of “Officer Hernandez,” the threat was direct and more aggressive.

From The Daily Beast

There was no acting, no posturing, as Ben delivered the news.

From The Daily Beast

Luckily for them, the science runs directly against his thoughtless posturing about the importance of children.

From The Daily Beast

But if you can sift through all of the legal posturing, a fairly accurate portrait of Sterling himself does begin to emerge.

From The Daily Beast

But Sciortino cut her teeth in that world of excess irony, cynicism, and posturing.

From The Daily Beast

Even if the whole school is obliged to attend the club-swinging and posturing and the other nonsense, little good is done.

From Project Gutenberg

The classical posturing which still lingered, a disturbing element, in the Plague picture, has been put aside 212 completely.

From Project Gutenberg

Remember that while you're posturing in your little hour of glory on Athena and Earth.

From Project Gutenberg

To exhibit it posturing, writhing, and gasping in mere hysteria is to lower it beneath the standard of wholesome and worthy art.

From Project Gutenberg

The sequel to this heroic posturing of the chief magistrate is one of the most humiliating chapters in American politics.

From Project Gutenberg