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exhibitionistic

exhibitionistic

1 8.8
Acting to get a lot of attention by showing off in public
  • adjective
  • /ˌɛksɪbɪˈʃənɪstɪk/
  • NSFW
translation icon : exhibicionista
  • He always dresses in an exhibitionistic manner to draw attention at parties.

Examples

  • Although at first glance the model would appear to represent the exhibitionist, one might argue that it is the artist who has displaced his exhibitionistic tendencies onto her; thus, he may simultaneously experience the point of view of the spectator and the object of the gaze.

    Academic text (1992)
  • It is not an exhibitionistic culture.

    Blog text (7)
  • "My father," she wrote, "considered dancing at best exhibitionistic acrobatics, and certainly a field that offered neither intellectual nor spiritual challenge."

    Academic text (1994)
  • Unlike him, A. did talk about herself, though never in the exhibitionistic fashion favored by the borderlines.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • The Shrum and Kilburn (1996) study of exhibitionistic Mardi Gras balcony performances notes that individuals, primarily women, strip in exchange for plastic beads.

    Academic text (1999)
  • We base this argument on the confluence of neuroses where defecation is difficult (or even impossible) unless doors are securely locked, while these same patients have no such stringent requirements for bathing; indeed, some can be quite exhibitionistic.

    Academic text (1997)
  • Her exhibitionistic behavior showed when she danced wildly in front of the crowd.

  • The artist's exhibitionistic performances left the audience both shocked and impressed.

Synonyms

flashy
vsexhibitionistic
69 4.1

Very bright or showy in a way that attracts attention

leans toward dramatic, attention seeking actions rather than mere gaudy appearance
flamboyant
vsexhibitionistic
35 6.5

Being very bright and showy to attract attention

focuses more on dramatic attention seeking and public exposure than ornament alone
ostentatious
vsexhibitionistic
11 7.7

To show off very expensive things to attract attention

seeks public attention through dramatic or exposing actions rather than impressing
showy
vsexhibitionistic
8 3.2

Bright or fancy in a way that draws attention

is expressed through dramatic public exposure and exaggerated personal actions
flaunty
vsexhibitionistic
8.9

Showing off things or yourself to get attention

aims for dramatic public exposure rather than mere boastful showing

Antonyms

20 5.8

A person or thing that is not proud and not showy

11 5.5

Quiet and controlled in voice or actions, not noisy

How Attention-Seeking

exhibitionistic
  • NSFW
1 8.8
showy
8 3.2
noticeable
65 3.2
reserved
3.7
modest
81 2.7

Surface Forms

exhibitionistic positive

Morphology

exhibitionistic = exhibition (semi-transparent) = exhibition + istic

The derivation from 'exhibition' + the adjectival suffix '-istic' is structurally clear, but the sense refers to specialized attention-seeking/exhibitionist behaviour (a psychological/sexual connotation) that is not fully predictable from 'exhibition' alone.

Etymology

The word exhibitionistic comes from the common verb exhibit, which comes from an old Latin word meaning 'to show'. So, to be exhibitionistic is to act as if you want to 'show off' and get attention.