Poseurs

Poseurs (plural of poseur) are individuals who behave in an affected or insincere way, often to impress others. They adopt a particular persona, style, or set of beliefs to gain admiration or acceptance, rather than from genuine conviction or personal interest. Their actions are often perceived as superficial and contrived, lacking authenticity. This behavior can manifest in various domains, including art, music, fashion, or intellectual pursuits, and is generally motivated by a desire for social status, attention, or validation. poseurs are characterized by a disconnect between their displayed persona and their true selves, leading to a sense of artificiality in their interactions.

Poseurs meaning with examples

• At the art gallery opening, several attendees struck me as poseurs. Their discussions about obscure techniques seemed forced, and their attire screamed of following trends rather than personal style. I could sense they were more interested in appearing cultured than actually appreciating the art.
• The music scene was rife with poseurs, claiming to love obscure bands they'd never heard of just to fit in. Their knowledge of the bands they 'loved' was minimal, and their trendy clothes and swagger were designed to intimidate rather than celebrate.
• Many online influencers are poseurs, crafting carefully curated images of a perfect life to attract followers. The reality is often far removed from their depictions. I see many people I follow that are poseurs.
• Some academics are poseurs, using jargon and complex theories more to impress colleagues than to clarify their arguments. They seem more concerned with intellectual posturing than the substance of their research.
• In the world of high fashion, several designers can be described as poseurs. Their work is sometimes pretentious and meant to shock people, rather than to create aesthetically pleasing designs that people actually enjoy wearing.