Entry Word: masquerade

Function: noun

Meaning: a display of emotion or behavior that is insincere or intended to deceive <although she was deeply bored, she maintained a masquerade of polite interest as her guest droned on>

Synonyms act, airs, charade, facade (also façade), front, guise, pose, pretense (or pretence), put-on, semblance, show

Related Words appearance, color, gloss; camouflage, cloak, disguise; affectation, deceit, deception, double-dealing, duplicity, fraud, guile; betrayal, double cross, faithlessness, falseness, falsity, infidelity, perfidy, treachery, treason, unfaithfulness; excuse, pretext

Near Antonyms candor, frankness, openheartedness, sincerity