Janus-faced

adjective

ˈjā-nəs-ˌfāst How to pronounce Janus-faced (audio)
Definition of Janus-facednext
as in double
not being or expressing what one appears to be or express there was a Janus-faced quality to the interview: for all of the smiling and nodding, the interviewer's body language expressed deep boredom

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for Janus-faced
  1. double
  2. fake
  3. lip
  4. strained
  5. hypocritical
  6. superficial
  7. hollow
Adjective
  • Even the smallest one is delightfully cozy, with a double bed and windows looking onto the street, perfect for a couple or solo traveler.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Like when Edmonds drew in a double team in the post and found a Robinson for an open 3-pointer that gave TCU a 10-5 lead early in the first.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of double
Adjective
  • While policymakers debate new privacy laws, doctors such as Julien Cavanagh say they are left to fix the mess that targeted online ads for fake cures create for patients’ health.
    — Washington Post, Washington Post, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Criminals can imitate those messages to create panic and lure people toward fake login pages.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of fake
Adjective
  • Likewise, lip masks designed to be worn overnight can provide improved hydration and comfort over daytime treatments.
    — Caroline Reilly, Forbes.com, 25 Mar. 2026
  • On the opposite end of the spectrum, Tatianna points to cinnamon as a conductor of heat—one commonly used in lip plumper products to achieve a sultry pout.
    — Essence, Essence, 23 Nov. 2025
Definition of lip
Adjective
  • That decision left the financially strained athletic department staring at a buyout of roughly $50 million.
    — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Nov. 2026
  • The relationship between LaLiga and Real Madrid is beyond strained—see Tebas’ Nazi comments as an example—but on this two agreed that everyone involved had to bend the knee.
    — Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of strained
Adjective
  • The fine was controversial to begin with, as fans and pundits pointed out the NFL’s business with beer sponsors such as Bud Light and called the sensitivity over the celebration hypocritical.
    — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Oct. 2026
  • In his appeal, Juszczyk also argued that fining players for pretending to drink beer was hypocritical given the NFL’s beer sponsorships.
    — Rick Maese, Washington Post, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of hypocritical
Adjective
  • Even then, my understanding of the horrors these people had endured and survived was superficial.
    — Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 2 Nov. 2026
  • On Saturday, at a gun range, a weapon accidentally discharged while holstered resulting in a superficial injury to film director Michael Mann.
    — Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of superficial
Adjective
  • Andrew’s head snapped forward, his eye blurred in a burst of flesh and bone, the hollow filling with blood as a bullet tore through his head.
    — Ron Farina, Hartford Courant, 1 Nov. 2026
  • The center holds, but only because the whole structure is hollow, carries no weight.
    — Kristian Vistrup Madsen, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of hollow
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.

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Janus-faced
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Cite this Entry

“Janus-faced.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/Janus-faced. Accessed 4 Nov. 2026.

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