cabotinage

1 9.9

A loud, showy kind of acting that looks fake and draws attention

noun
/ˌkæbəˈtɪnɑːʒ/

Archaic

: exageración

Her speech was full of cabotinage, making it hard to take her seriously.

Examples

His cabotinage during the play was entertaining but over the top.
Critics noted the cabotinage in his portrayal of the villain, calling it overly dramatic.
The director warned the cast to avoid cabotinage and keep their performances natural.
The actress's cabotinage drew both applause and criticism.
The actor's constant poses and grand gestures were a clear example of cabotinage.
Her performance was filled with cabotinage, making it hard to take her seriously.
The comedian's cabotinage amused the audience, but some found it over-the-top.

Synonyms

posturing

vscabotinage

34 7.0

Behaving to impress people instead of being honest

is the theatrical style of showiness aimed at performance rather than social image

theatrics

vscabotinage

21 4.8

Dramatic behavior done to get attention

is more tied to performance contexts rather than any attention seeking act

theatricality

vscabotinage

6 7.7

A showy, exaggerated way of behaving like in a play

is about showy behaviour in everyday or performance situations alike

histrionics

vscabotinage

6 9.1

Very dramatic behavior that tries to get attention

is the broader label for theatrical showiness, not only emotional displays

flamboyance

vscabotinage

4 7.7

A very bright and fancy style that attracts attention in dress or manner

is focused on dramatic performance behaviour rather than mere stylish display

exhibitionism

vscabotinage

2 8.1

Doing dramatic things to get attention or praise

is more about performance-like, theatrical display than general attention seeking

mannerism

vscabotinage

1 6.5

An exaggerated way of acting on purpose to impress others or hide feelings

is broader theatrical showiness used for dramatic effect rather than habit

overacting

vscabotinage

Specialized

1 5.1

Acting with too much emotion so it does not seem real

is broader showy behavior, not limited to formal stage or film

hamming

vscabotinage

1 8.1

Acting that is too dramatic and seems fake

is the general idea of showy behaviour beyond just staged acting

melodramatics

vscabotinage

1 7.2

A person's exaggerated emotional behavior often shown in speech or acting

is general showiness that covers style and action beyond emotion alone

campiness

vscabotinage

1 7.9

A style that is exaggerated and showy to be funny or to make fun

is sincere showy behaviour aimed at performance rather than ironic play

hamminess

vscabotinage

8.1

Acting in an exaggerated, showy way that feels loud and not natural

is the wider category of theatrical showiness beyond that habit

theatricalism

vscabotinage

8.4

A way of behaving that is dramatic and exaggerated to attract attention

is focused on showy behaviour especially within acting or performance

over-the-top antics

vscabotinage

Informal

7.2

Loud exaggerated actions meant to get attention or make people laugh

is the overall theatrical showiness, not only attention-seeking stunts

showy performance

vscabotinage

5.4

A performance that tries to get attention by being loud or dramatic

is the general habit of showy behaviour beyond single performances

overexpression

vscabotinage

6.7

Showing feelings or opinions too strongly so they seem not sincere

is specifically about theatrical showiness in acting and performance

Antonyms

understated

27 6.5

Simple and quiet in a way that looks elegant

subdued

11 5.5

Quiet and controlled in voice or actions, not noisy

How Theatrical

histrionics

6 9.1

cabotinage

Archaic

1 9.9

theatricality

6 7.7

subtlety

54 6.8

Surface Forms

cabotinage singular

cabotinages plural

Etymology

The word cabotinage comes from French cabotin, a name for a 'showy' or 'ham' actor who overacts to get attention. So cabotinage means exaggerated, theatrical behavior in acting or speech — the kind of performance that feels not natural but is meant to be noticed.