charade

noun

shə-ˈrād How to pronounce charade (audio)
Definition of charadenext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of charade Indeed, Congress periodically engages in a debt ceiling charade, which wastes a lot of time and energy and limits nothing. — Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 15 July 2026 The referee then has to stand in front of the monitor, hands on hips, and go through a charade of free will. — Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 14 July 2026 Monikers is a party game that progresses from clue-giving to charades, perfect for inside jokes and big groups. — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 23 June 2026 Liam, once aimless and unhoused, quickly finds purpose in the charade as a husband and father. — Sam Bodrojan, IndieWire, 17 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for charade
Recent Examples of Synonyms for charade
  1. pretense
  2. facade
  3. show
  4. guise
  5. act
  6. pose
  7. masquerade
Noun
  • Conference expansion has shattered pretenses to regional coherence.
    — Geraldo L. Cadava, The Atlantic, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Cinematic pretense and the kinds political leaders and media personalities use to sell ideas are often one and the same.
    — Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of pretense
Noun
  • Lourdes Bishop Jean-Marc Micas in 2025 decided to cover the facade of the Notre Dame du Rosaire Basilica, reasoning that abuse victims who come to Lourdes for healing shouldn’t be forced to see them.
    — Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Lourdes Bishop Jean-Marc Micas in 2025 decided cover the façade of the Notre Dame du Rosaire Basilica, reasoning that abuse victims who come to Lourdes for healing shouldn’t be forced to see them.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of facade
Noun
  • For his first resort show since being named creative director of Chanel in 2024, Blazy chose Biarritz, another French coastal town with historic ties to the label’s founder.
    — Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Madonna performed for the first time in 23 years at the MTV VMAs on Sunday, opening the show by bringing out special guests Sabrina Carpenter and Charli xcx to perform their respective duets.
    — Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of show
Noun
  • But unlike Backrooms, SCP Foundation has always been more centralized to this one website, and every subsequent SCP Foundation work has always fallen under the guise of the Creative Commons license, something the Backrooms creepypasta never did.
    — Brian Welk, IndieWire, 24 Sep. 2026
  • As critics such as Antonio Candido have remarked, regionalism was at bottom an attempt to render Latin American reality in its dominant rural guise.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of guise
Noun
  • Joshua Kerry, 28, was charged with preparation of acts of terrorism between May 2024 and July 2026, including against Nigel Farage, the leader of the populist Reform UK party, according to British police and prosecutors.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Clark supporters argued one game was insufficient for an ejectable non-basketball act.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of act
Noun
  • The framework’s third prong responds to the unique dangers AI poses to children.
    — Matt Post, Baltimore Sun, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The proper pose is a strict neutrality — neither agreeing nor provoking — simply seeking the first opportunity to disengage.
    — Judith Martin, Washington Post, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of pose
Noun
  • Each show has a different theme that will transport you to an over-the-top setting, from a masquerade ball to old Hollywood.
    — Bebe Hodges, Cincinnati Enquirer, 10 Sep. 2026
  • That kind of cynicism is cheap and facile and masquerades as intelligence and erudition.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of masquerade

Browse Nearby Words

character sketches
charade
charades
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Charade.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/charade. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on charade

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about charade

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