kabuki
2
9.5
- noun
- /kəˈbuːki/
- Literature
:
teatro kabuki
- The only "difference" between the two parties is in the atmospherics, whose purpose is to provide kabuki political theater sufficient to distract the rubes.
Examples
-
Many observers saw the summit as a kabuki performance intended to give the illusion of progress.
-
It's not going to matter to them, which is why all of this is kabuki theater.
Blog text (12) -
This is political kabuki theater.
Blog text (9) -
We've been treated to political kabuki.
Blog text (7) -
It's all been kabuki since Romney got the nod.
Blog text (26) -
They are not laws; they are political kabuki used to keep any decent legislation from passing.
Blog text (31) -
It's all kabuki, and it's because of the poisonous money infecting the political system.
Blog text (4) -
The faux dichotomy of the political parties is mirrored by the Labor vs. Management kabuki.
Blog text (4) -
The negotiations felt like pure kabuki, with no real intention of compromise from either side.
-
The debates turned into a kabuki show, where the leaders postured dramatically without any substantive dialogue.
Synonyms
539
2.7
A live show of a play, concert, or dance for an audience
26
6.7
Made to impress people rather than to be useful
A public show that looks important but hides real plans
A performance that tries to get attention by being loud or dramatic
Compounds
How Theatrical
Surface Forms
Etymology
Kabuki is also used from the Japanese theatre to describe a staged public performance that is only for show and not real action. Because kabuki theatre is very planned and dramatic, people use kabuki to say a political event is just for appearance.