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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 guise
These projects reveal the evil lurking underneath the guises of killers who were so often hiding in plain sight.
—
Katie Rife, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Apr. 2026
Under some guise of urgency—an unpaid fine or other transgression—the victim would be directed to download an app that closely mimics the institution’s real one.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 7 Apr. 2026
Its softer and more feminine guise includes floral upholstery in lemony shades.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Apr. 2026
By the time my story about him was published in the November 2023 issue of Vanity Fair, Aryeh Dodelson, and all of his guises, had disappeared from the face of the earth.
—Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for guise
Katie Rife, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Apr. 2026
Under some guise of urgency—an unpaid fine or other transgression—the victim would be directed to download an app that closely mimics the institution’s real one.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 7 Apr. 2026
Its softer and more feminine guise includes floral upholstery in lemony shades.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Apr. 2026
By the time my story about him was published in the November 2023 issue of Vanity Fair, Aryeh Dodelson, and all of his guises, had disappeared from the face of the earth.
—Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for guise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for guise
Noun
-
On the day of Lincoln’s election, the Wide Awakes patrolled polling places under the pretense of protecting democracy, while opponents viewed it as voter intimidation.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Authorities said the gun had been purchased under false pretenses in Indiana.—
Caroline Kubzansky,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
On Saturday afternoon, someone dressed as the Christian messiah was among the dozens of people in costumes and masks seen on a video forcing open the door of a Scientology building on Hollywood Boulevard after a tug-of-war with a security guard.—
James Queally,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Their parents would come and look at the costumes and buildings in horror.—
Marta Balaga,
Variety,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But by December, as the holidays approached, the Clarks welcomed shoppers who, despite the rules requiring masks, gloves, social distancing and a plexiglass cover at the register up front, happily chose food and gifts to bring home.—
Emily M. Olson,
Hartford Courant,
3 May 2026
-
One extra set of clothes, an overnight bag, chargers, a passport, the super universal converter, and an eye mask.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
The father-daughter duo typically make an annual appearance at the Barnstable Brown Gala, which benefits the Barnstable Brown Diabetes Center at the University of Kentucky.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
2 May 2026
-
Seidler took over as club chairman in November 2020, shortly after the team made its first playoff appearance in 20 seasons.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
While Metcalf’s Linda adopts a facade of stoicism to shield her family from the grief erupting in her, Abbott’s Biff is forced to reveal the broken man behind the defiant veneer.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The southern façade, for instance, is entirely solid—no windows, no openings—to shield the interior from the most brutal solar rays.—
Nick Mafi,
Architectural Digest,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Guests arrived to the sprawling location welcomed by greeters in traditional garb on horseback and a female group of traditional singers.—
Paige Reddinger,
Robb Report,
1 May 2026
-
Tony Elar, 26, and Carol Jaworski, 64, dressed up in military garb from the French and Indian War period.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
As Hyman filmed talking points, the women quietly lifted weights next to a man wearing a Turning Point USA T-shirt and carrying a camouflage National Rifle Assn.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
-
Prince William, whose last visit to RAF Valley was in 2024, wore a camouflage uniform and hat for the occasion.—
Helen Murphy,
PEOPLE,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The foreign sounds made his face crimp, as if somebody right next to him had farted.—
Chang-rae Lee,
New Yorker,
3 May 2026
-
However, the fashion world has been particularly enamored with these breakout stars, with major designers and brands clamoring to get one of the boys seated front-row at their shows, if not serving face in their next ad campaign.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Guise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guise. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
