as in pretense
a display of emotion or behavior that is insincere or intended to deceive
put on a convincing charade to keep her from knowing about the surprise party
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of charade
In a partial charade guise arranged by Mike Cristaldi, the team’s vice president of communications, and his longtime TV partner Eric Collins, Curry was the victim of a gotcha moment.
—
Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 14 Jan. 2026
The couple who are broken up put on a charade for friends to ensure that their yearly trip to Maine goes smoothly.
—Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
Wally and Marty eventually dupe a handful of white players into betting on their elaborate charade of a match, inadvertently setting off one of the film’s central plot points.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 29 Dec. 2025
The grotesque charade didn’t seem to belong to this world.
—Literary Hub, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for charade
Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 14 Jan. 2026
The couple who are broken up put on a charade for friends to ensure that their yearly trip to Maine goes smoothly.
—Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
Wally and Marty eventually dupe a handful of white players into betting on their elaborate charade of a match, inadvertently setting off one of the film’s central plot points.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 29 Dec. 2025
The grotesque charade didn’t seem to belong to this world.
—Literary Hub, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for charade
Recent Examples of Synonyms for charade
Noun
-
That exchange — brief, respectful, zero pretense — is part of what makes the content feel different from a standard celebrity interview.—
Ryan Brennan
March 3,
Charlotte Observer,
3 Mar. 2026
-
There was little pretense at closing time on Tuesday night, when the Milwaukee Bucks set about closing out the Miami Heat.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The hotel was knocked down in 2005 to make way for the Las Olas Beach Club condo, but the facade was preserved thanks to intervention by historic preservationists.—
Susannah Bryan,
Sun Sentinel,
4 Mar. 2026
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Though the building’s façade still retains its iconic scalloped awning, the logo has been replaced with that of a high-end menswear store.—
Taran Dugal,
New Yorker,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Ahead of the show’s final season premiere, The Times spoke with Balfe and Heughan to get their thoughts on bringing the historical romance to life and the journey to reach the final chapter.—
Yvonne Villarreal,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
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The show's network, CBS, announced in July that the upcoming season would be the franchise's last.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Emma Roberts has tested nearly every possible blonde, and this bright, warm oatmeal suits her complexion while honoring the old money trend in personalized guise.—
Calin Van Paris,
InStyle,
3 Mar. 2026
-
This moment will come in many guises.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Emirati authorities have warned Iranian officials that such a move was under consideration, the newspaper said, citing people familiar with the discussions, although no decision on whether, or when, to act has been reached.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
6 Mar. 2026
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The government insists the case has nothing to do with a free press, saying the defendants used news reporting as a pretext for years to commit acts that harmed China and Hong Kong.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
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This week, Arnie’s tournament — the 48th Arnold Palmer Invitational — tees off at Bay Hill with a field worthy of the statue’s pose looming above the grounds.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 Mar. 2026
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Without missing a beat, the actress quickly reached down and retied her top into place before striking a pose.—
Meg Walters,
InStyle,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Despite their masquerade ball meet-cute, the similarities to previous seasons are few and far between.—
Madeline Hirsch,
InStyle,
26 Feb. 2026
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After entering the venue, ticket holders are fitted for a masquerade mask and given a glass of champagne before they’re thrust into the action.—
Karu F. Daniels,
New York Daily News,
26 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Charade.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/charade. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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