Potemkin village

noun

Definition of Potemkin villagenext
as in fig leaf

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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 Potemkin village The Swedish government has come up with some drastically different economic figures on Russia that make the Kremlin’s official data seem like a Potemkin village. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 24 May 2026 But when Microsoft built the Potemkin village that is Copilot and charged for it, well, no thank you. — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 8 Feb. 2026 Only Alain seems eager to ignore the disinformation and embrace this Potemkin village as the real deal (except when his eyes show a gathering concern). — Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2025 But his proudest accomplishments amount to little more than a progressive Potemkin village. — Paul Vallas, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2025 Emma Stone and Nathan Fielder portray a married couple who build a Potemkin village of eco-friendly homes and pour-over coffee shops in a struggling New Mexico town. — Jennifer Wilson, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025 But behind the Potemkin village, the Khmer Rouge regime is declining and the war with Vietnam threatens to invade the country. — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 26 Nov. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for Potemkin village
  1. fig leaf
  2. screen
  3. shield
  4. blind
Noun
  • Under the Assad regime, the parliament functioned as a ceremonial fig leaf that served political elites and passed laws that stripped ordinary Syrians of their basic rights.
    — Taylor Luck, Christian Science Monitor, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Consider the crisp, Gimlet-like Mediterrânico, made with sea fennel and eucalyptus, or the Banana Bonanza, a riff on the Negroni with Madeira, banana, coconut butter, and fig leaf.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of fig leaf
Noun
  • But even when screens help families make it through a busy day, Amin said many parents still feel guilty about relying on them.
    — Tara Duncan, AJC.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • On top of that, many schools have kids spending lots of time on screens, even though staring at them for long periods can be stressful and exhausting.
    — Kara Alaimo, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of screen
Noun
  • The facility will next undergo containment pressure tests to ensure the outer shield can withstand extreme pressure spikes.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Coleus, Artemisia, Persian shield (Strobilanthes auriculata var.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of shield
Noun
  • In some position groups — receiver, tight end, edge rushers, cornerback and safeties to be specific — the blind is leading the blind because there is no veteran presence in those rooms.
    — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 29 May 2026
  • The large slats of shutters might be easier to vacuum than those of mini blinds or even cellular shades, so make a plan based on your window blind type and style.
    — Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Apr. 2026
Definition of blind

Browse Nearby Words

potbelly
Potemkin village
Potemkin villages
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Cite this Entry

“Potemkin village.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/Potemkin%20village. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

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