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 Liam, once aimless and unhoused, quickly finds purpose in the charade as a husband and father. — Sam Bodrojan, IndieWire, 17 June 2026 One of the trip's funniest moments came during a game of Salad Bowl, a game that's a combination of charades and Catch Phrase. — Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026 What Scott wrote about UF’s presidential choice, former University of Alabama President Stuart Bell, applies to the entire political presidency charade. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 3 June 2026 Lots of people fell for the charade. — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 20 May 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
  • The food is stellar, as is the service, but there isn’t a shred of pretence about any of it.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Before Starlink, someone on a business trip might still decide to expense suboptimal Wi-Fi to keep up the pretense of working.
    — Nancy Walecki, The Atlantic, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of pretense
Noun
  • Upon closer inspection, the facade and interiors alike have details that are unexpectedly progressive.
    — Kathryn O’Shea-Evans, Robb Report, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Hirshman said the Center currently has $5 million in its building fund to fix up West-Park Church’s facade and roof.
    — Lincoln Anderson, New York Daily News, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of facade
Noun
  • When night falls, another show begins with a dedicated corner of the estate designed for stargazing.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Aug. 2026
  • In the book, the star detailed her prolific and sometimes difficult career in show business; growing up under the harsh light of Hollywood; and the highs and lows of filming hit TV shows like Heroes and Nashville, and more.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of show
Noun
  • Volkswagen refers to the Cruise as a concept, but perhaps it will be shown in near-production guise.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Somewhere between a sandal and a ballet flat, caged silhouettes come in all manner of guises.
    — Sarah Leigh Bannerman, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 July 2026
Definition of guise
Noun
  • Player development is not an exact science and bringing him along at the right speed will be a delicate balancing act for Alonso, amplified by the pressure to keep piling up Premier League points.
    — Matt Pyzdrowski, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The reissue includes more than half a dozen additional smashes from the Grammy-winning act, and fans of the group and those tunes in particular have turned the collection into not only a bestseller, but a top 10 success for the very first time.
    — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of act
Noun
  • So go ahead, clear a spot in your living room, extend your arms and strike your best airplane pose — your future self will thank you.
    — Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • By moving familiar poses into the buoyant support of a pool, this gentler variation offers many of yoga's physical and mental benefits while also placing less stress on the body.
    — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of pose
Noun
  • For Challenge 2 and beyond, the players get masquerade-ball half-masks on sticks, sans eyeholes, to use as blindfolds during challenge setups.
    — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2026
  • But the maison will also have a trio of exclusive treatments on offer at Hotel Cipriani, which were crafted to honor Christian Dior’s love of masquerade balls and Venice.
    — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 27 July 2026
Definition of masquerade

Browse Nearby Words

character sketches
charade
charades
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Cite this Entry

“Charade.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/charade. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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