empty posturing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "empty posturing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions or statements that are insincere or lack substance, often intended to create a false impression. Example: "The politician's promises were nothing more than empty posturing, failing to address the real issues at hand."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

The result is not so much that you feel you understand Ali -- such is the empty, posturing promise of nearly every Hollywood biopic -- but that you find yourself, altogether unexpectedly, in his presence.

The New York Times

To Karmi's way of thinking, the PA's only honourable path is to abandon its empty, posturing display of power and to assume its proper role as the leadership of a people under colonial occupation.

The Guardian - Books

This wasn't empty posturing.

Huffington Post

5. What to Do? a. Empty posturing or not, Iran's threat has to be taken seriously and Iran's unpredictability has to be taken seriously.

Huffington Post

The C.I.A. dismissed that as empty posturing.

The New York Times

The first risk is that the campaign will be a sham: empty posturing about side issues.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

Their desperate, pretentious efforts at looking hip and modern seep through this movie like effluent from a leaking toilet: chin-beards and over-stylised haircuts, faux-grunge designer outfits, empty postures of rebellion, over-enthusiastic pseudo-laddish camaraderie and stupid nicknames (the drummer calls himself KD, short for "Killer Drummer").

The Guardian - Film

Too many Dems seemed indecisive and apologetic, agreeable ciphers rather than courageous leaders, even as their opponents assumed empty postures of courage or decisiveness.

Huffington Post

If Young Believers and Brothers & Sisters state their case rather too gauchely, Jon Foulger's desperate intensity (shades of the Arcade Fire there) ensures that they transcend empty come-together posturing.

The Guardian - Music

In his other essays appears a further meaning of the phrase: the vacuum is due to empty literary posturing, "a kind of feverish present‐mindedness and self absorption," a passionate style coupled with a of content.

The New York Times

All of this may have the smell of extreme cleverness but Morpurgo never falls into the trap of empty intellectual posturing masquerading as comedy; this is a show that, while being thought-provoking, never forgets where its next big laugh is coming from.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "empty posturing" to critique insincere actions or statements, particularly in political or performative contexts, to suggest a lack of genuine intent or substance.

Common error

Avoid using "empty posturing" when the actions in question may genuinely be misguided attempts at a solution. Ensure there's clear evidence of insincerity or a lack of substance before applying this critical label.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "empty posturing" functions as a noun phrase, where "empty" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "posturing". It describes a type of behavior or action. As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase is correctly and commonly used in English to criticize insincere actions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

1%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "empty posturing" is a noun phrase used to critically describe insincere actions or statements lacking substance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used, especially in news and media to critique performative behaviors. Related phrases include "vacuous posturing" and "hollow gestures". When using the phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a lack of genuine intent, avoiding its application to sincere, albeit misguided, efforts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vacuous posturing

Replaces "empty" with "vacuous", emphasizing the lack of content or intelligence.

idle posturing

Substitutes "empty" with "idle", highlighting the lack of real purpose or effect.

hollow posturing

Replaces "empty" with "hollow", focusing on the insincerity and lack of genuine feeling.

superficial display

Highlights the lack of depth or genuine intent behind the actions.

pretentious display

Emphasizes the attempt to impress through exaggerated or affected behavior.

meaningless display

Replaces the entire phrase with a more general term for actions lacking real significance.

artificial show

Implies that the display is fabricated or contrived, lacking genuineness.

insincere act

Replaces the whole phrase with term denoting inauthenticity.

futile gesture

Replaces the entire phrase with a term emphasizing the ineffectiveness and pointlessness of the action.

shameless display

Highlights the bold and often inappropriate nature of the insincere actions.

FAQs

What does "empty posturing" mean?

The phrase "empty posturing" refers to actions or statements that are insincere and lack substance, often intended to create a false impression or to impress others without any real commitment or intention.

How can I use "empty posturing" in a sentence?

You can use "empty posturing" to describe political promises that are unlikely to be fulfilled, theatrical displays that lack genuine emotion, or any situation where someone is putting on a show without substance. For example: "The politician's promises were dismissed as "empty posturing" by the opposition."

What can I say instead of "empty posturing"?

You can use alternatives like "hollow gestures", "meaningless displays", or "vacuous posturing" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "empty posturing" and "genuine effort"?

"Empty posturing" implies insincerity and a lack of real intention or effort, whereas "genuine effort" suggests a sincere attempt to achieve a goal, even if the outcome is uncertain. The key difference lies in the motivation and the presence of actual commitment.