window dressing
noun
1
: the display of merchandise in a retail store window
2
a
: the act or an instance of making something appear deceptively attractive or favorable
b
: something used to create a deceptively favorable or attractive impression
window dresser
noun
Examples of window dressing in a Sentence
These changes are being made for a good reason. They're not just window dressing.
the crime-does-not-pay moralizing is just window dressing for nasty hard-boiled stories
Recent Examples on the Web
Look for former clinicians, policy experts and health plan operators at the leadership table—not just advisors used for window dressing.
—
Amber Nigam, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
Theatrical window dressing and historical context are provided by some of the greatest celebrities of the early 20th century: Magician Harry Houdini, anarchist Emma Goldman, scandalous vaudeville star Evelyn Nesbit and the great orator/educator Booker T. Washington.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 9 May 2025
That timing means the truce would start at 5 p.m. Eastern time, on May 7, and last until 5 p.m. Eastern time on May 10.
Ukraine, which previously agreed to President Trump’s proposal of a full 30-day ceasefire, dismissed Putin’s move as window dressing.
—Illia Novikov, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2025
America must demand substantial and enforceable market access from our allies — not mere window dressing — and remain relentless in holding geopolitical rivals such as China accountable in this fiercely competitive global environment.
—Alan Beard, Baltimore Sun, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for window dressing
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Amber Nigam, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
Theatrical window dressing and historical context are provided by some of the greatest celebrities of the early 20th century: Magician Harry Houdini, anarchist Emma Goldman, scandalous vaudeville star Evelyn Nesbit and the great orator/educator Booker T. Washington.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 9 May 2025
That timing means the truce would start at 5 p.m. Eastern time, on May 7, and last until 5 p.m. Eastern time on May 10.
Ukraine, which previously agreed to President Trump’s proposal of a full 30-day ceasefire, dismissed Putin’s move as window dressing.
—Illia Novikov, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2025
America must demand substantial and enforceable market access from our allies — not mere window dressing — and remain relentless in holding geopolitical rivals such as China accountable in this fiercely competitive global environment.
—Alan Beard, Baltimore Sun, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for window dressing
Cite this Entry
“Window dressing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/window%20dressing. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
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