shroud-waving

9.9

An act of showing too much grief to gain public sympathy

noun
/ʃraʊdˈweɪvɪŋ/

Literature

: llanto

Her constant shroud-waving eventually undermined her credibility with the public.

Examples

The senator's shroud-waving during the debate was criticized by both opponents and the media.
Accusations of shroud-waving often arise in times of national tragedy.
The politician's shroud-waving during the memorial was criticized.
Many accused her of shroud-waving to gain sympathy.
During the press conference, the activist's shroud-waving drew attention to the injustice but also raised eyebrows among journalists.
Critics argue that his shroud-waving after the disaster was an attempt to manipulate public opinion for electoral gain.
The mayor's shroud-waving at the candlelight vigil was seen as insincere by many community members.

Synonyms

dissembling

vsshroud-waving

3 9.9

Hiding your true feelings or intentions by pretending

shows emotion openly to gain political sympathy rather than hide motives

flag waving

vsshroud-waving

1 5.7

A public display like a speech or a rally that makes people feel strong love for their country

uses dramatic grief or outrage to win sympathy and political advantage

hand waving

vsshroud-waving

Informal

1 8.6

Making unclear gestures or saying unclear things to avoid a clear answer

relies on theatrical sorrow or anger to sway public feeling

Antonyms

composure

38 5.1

Calm control of your feelings and actions in a difficult situation

stoicism

5 7.8

A calm way of accepting pain or hardship without complaint

How Dramatic

shroud-waving

Literature

9.9

theatrical

98 4.8

dramatic

358 3.6

emotional

535 2.1

restrained

5.3

Surface Forms

shroud-waving singular

shroud-wavings plural

Morphology

shroud-waving = shroud + waving (semi-transparent) = shroud + waving

The literal parts 'shroud' + 'waving' are clear, but the idiomatic sense of theatrical or opportunistic display of grief is pragmatic and not fully predictable from the components.

Etymology

The word shroud-waving comes from the image of someone waving a shroud, the 'cloth used to cover a dead body', with waving meaning 'moving something back and forth'. So, it means a very dramatic show of grief or anger, often used to get attention or support.