1
as in pretense
a display of emotion or behavior that is insincere or intended to deceive
he allowed himself to dine at fine restaurants all over the world under the guise of research for his book on international cuisine
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in costume
clothing chosen as appropriate for a specific situation
she felt as though she should be wearing some sort of Germanic guise, complete with dirndl, for the fall festival featuring traditional German food and drink
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in mask
clothing put on to hide one's true identity or imitate someone or something else
he sneaked into the castle to rescue Ivanhoe in the guise of a priest coming to give Ivanhoe his last rites
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in appearance
outward and often deceptive indication
hazing rituals may have the guise of harmless fun, but often the reality is serious physical abuse
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of guise
Many of Mulaney’s friends — including Kroll, Seth Meyers and others from Mulaney’s inner circle — convinced him to come under the guise of a college friend’s dinner.
—
Clayton Davis, Variety, 27 May 2025
Under his direction, USAID kept some of the basic needs initiatives but reformed them under private enterprise guises.
—Time, 12 May 2025
This tactic is sometimes used to justify letting an employee go under the guise of poor performance.
—Sho Dewan, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025
The designer, known for his maximalist, gender-fluid creations, sees his role as providing a bridge to allow people to explore apparently imaginary identities by slipping into new guises.
—Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for guise
Clayton Davis, Variety, 27 May 2025
Under his direction, USAID kept some of the basic needs initiatives but reformed them under private enterprise guises.
—Time, 12 May 2025
This tactic is sometimes used to justify letting an employee go under the guise of poor performance.
—Sho Dewan, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025
The designer, known for his maximalist, gender-fluid creations, sees his role as providing a bridge to allow people to explore apparently imaginary identities by slipping into new guises.
—Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for guise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for guise
Noun
-
The federal indictment alleges that Combs and his associates lured two of the women under the pretense of a romantic relationship.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
30 June 2025
-
Theft by false pretenses: A Saratoga resident said someone convinced them to sign a property deed in lieu of foreclosure to avoid filing for bankruptcy.—
Anne Gelhaus,
Mercury News,
27 June 2025
Noun
-
Unfolding against the backdrop of SCAD’s campus in the hilltop village of Lacoste in the Luberon Valley, honorees included actor Toby Jones, director Stephen Frears, screenwriter Christopher Hampton and James Bond and Harry Potter costume designer Jany Temime.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
30 June 2025
-
Every cobbled lane was blocked by revelers crowded outside the bars, all wearing white-and-red fiesta costumes.—
Tony Perrottet,
Smithsonian Magazine,
30 June 2025
Noun
-
Rounding out the trio is the Circadian Cream Overnight Collagen Seal ($135), a rich overnight mask that doesn’t fully absorb—by design—so skin wakes up still visibly moisturized and refreshed.—
Tiana Randall,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
The implication is that African creativity has always been global; just before the wing’s entrance, a Baule mask used in theatrical performances shares a vitrine with an ancient Roman sculpture of Pan.—
Julian Lucas,
New Yorker,
30 June 2025
Noun
-
The property completed a major renovation in late 2023, which likely propelled it to making its first appearance on the list of India’s best city hotels in 2024.—
Hannah Walhout,
Travel + Leisure,
8 July 2025
-
It was intended to insult someone's appearance, particularly their eyes.—
Dina Kaur,
AZCentral.com,
8 July 2025
Noun
-
The narrow cobblestone street cuts through the city’s Old Town toward the waterfront and abuts the eastern facade of Diocletian’s Palace, an ancient Roman fortress built about 1,700 years ago.—
Aspen Pflughoeft
July 9,
Miami Herald,
9 July 2025
-
After arriving, fire crews reported that parts of the facade and some of the parapet separated from the parking garage, sending bricks crashing to the sidewalk and street below, Nolan said.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
9 July 2025
Noun
-
In fact, he was wear ing his olive-drab woolens and his over seas cap for hunting garb.—
Nash Buckingham,
Outdoor Life,
19 June 2025
-
Soldiers from ceremonial units reenact the history of the Army, complete with Revolutionary War garb, music, theatrical vignettes and military pageantry, all meant to serve as a kind of salute to Army soldiers and their families.—
Anne Flaherty,
ABC News,
14 June 2025
Noun
-
The bags come in pink and black stripes and a camouflage adorned with florals.—
Lisa Lockwood,
Footwear News,
1 July 2025
-
The British soldiers fought in red uniforms with orderly precision and methodical execution; Marion fought in camouflage from trees and bushes.—
Chip Bell,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
Noun
-
Wear a hat: A hat with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) that's large enough to shade the lower half of your face can also help protect your lips.—
Sarah Bradley,
Health,
1 July 2025
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Moreover, some leadership teams today have heightened security concerns, in addition to the challenge of acting as the face and key driver of an organization’s strategic direction.—
Michele Dobnikar,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Guise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guise. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.
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