Attitudinize

Part of speech: verb

Pronunciation: /ˌætɪˈtjuːdɪnaɪz/

Definitions

1. To present oneself in an ostentatious manner that emphasizes a contrived attitude, often for the sake of gaining attention or influence
2. To behave in a way that is deliberately affected or unnatural, often with the intent to impress others or convey a specific persona
3. To act in a conspicuously artificial way to attract notice or create an impression

Etymology: The word "attitude" arrived in English through Italian, and its earliest sense had nothing to do with a pose. In the 17th century, "attitude" in English meant the arrangement of a painted or sculpted figure, its bodily posture, and this painterly sense is the ancestor of everything that followed. "Attitudinize" was formed by adding the "-ize" suffix, which turns nouns and adjectives into verbs meaning "to behave in the manner of" or "to make into," to that noun, and the result describes someone who strikes a posture for effect. The word "attitude" itself traces back through Italian "attitudine" to Latin "aptitudo," meaning fitness or aptness, from "aptus," fitted or suited. The Latin sense of fitness was about readiness and suitability, not display. The slide from a body's physical arrangement to a theatrical stance, and then to a deliberate pose adopted to impress, is what gave "attitudinize" its sense of performance.

Synonyms: posture, affect, pose, simulate, pretend

Antonyms: be oneself, act naturally, speak honestly, remain authentic, be genuine