as in smoothness
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Recent Examples of artificiality
No matter the role, that toughness was always there, a desire to push against the artificiality of acting to get at something true and lived-in within his characters.
—
Tim Grierson, Rolling Stone, 16 Feb. 2026
Like their future disciples in PC Music, Scritti Politti were giddy pop fans who approached the form as self-conscious outsiders, foregrounding its artificiality, pushing its bright colors to new extremes, aiming to make great pop records that also asked probing questions about what pop even is.
—Andy Cush, Pitchfork, 15 Feb. 2026
There’s an artificiality to the narration that is somewhat mirrored in the direction by Oldroyd and Anja Marquardt.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 8 Jan. 2026
That level of eye-deceiving detail falters in wide shots, however, some of which suffer from unflattering flat lighting that in certain instances recall computer screensavers of yore, given their colorful artificiality.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 30 Dec. 2025
The films that manage to handle magic well either fully embrace their own artificiality (think Nightmare Alley or Santa Sangre) or delight in exposing the machinery of how the tricks work (think The Prestige).
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2025
Instead, through the course of this play, the artificiality of 19th-century marital courting and the exaggerated heroism of war are gradually stripped away, allowing the characters’ true voices, true callings and true partners to eventually emerge.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Oct. 2025
Tim Grierson, Rolling Stone, 16 Feb. 2026
Like their future disciples in PC Music, Scritti Politti were giddy pop fans who approached the form as self-conscious outsiders, foregrounding its artificiality, pushing its bright colors to new extremes, aiming to make great pop records that also asked probing questions about what pop even is.
—Andy Cush, Pitchfork, 15 Feb. 2026
There’s an artificiality to the narration that is somewhat mirrored in the direction by Oldroyd and Anja Marquardt.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 8 Jan. 2026
That level of eye-deceiving detail falters in wide shots, however, some of which suffer from unflattering flat lighting that in certain instances recall computer screensavers of yore, given their colorful artificiality.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 30 Dec. 2025
The films that manage to handle magic well either fully embrace their own artificiality (think Nightmare Alley or Santa Sangre) or delight in exposing the machinery of how the tricks work (think The Prestige).
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2025
Instead, through the course of this play, the artificiality of 19th-century marital courting and the exaggerated heroism of war are gradually stripped away, allowing the characters’ true voices, true callings and true partners to eventually emerge.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for artificiality
Noun
-
But that noise had a stillness, a serenity, a smoothness that’s missing from modern life.—
Matt Crossman,
Midwest Living,
14 Apr. 2026
-
An almond-sized dollop suffices for quenching my thirsty complexion, which adopts a satiny appearance and velvety smoothness—without greasiness or excess shine—in seconds.—
Sophie Wirt,
InStyle,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Diplomacy and the pragmatic duplicity that sometimes accompanies it are ingrained at every level of Iran’s political class.—
Nic Robertson,
CNN Money,
23 Apr. 2026
-
For some, the implications of duplicity and obscured identity in the line could well apply to its author—and thereby hangs a tale.—
Gitanjali Roy,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Playing some clever game of head-fakery with his adversaries?—
Susan B. Glasser,
New Yorker,
23 Apr. 2026
-
What would be the point of them doing obvious fakery?—
Brad Templeton,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
These smaller, superficial doses can help minimize the appearance of pores, reduce oiliness, soften fine lines, and create a smoother overall finish without freezing your facial movements.—
Jenny Jin,
Allure,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Below, shop our nine favorite formulas that a suit a range of concerns, from oiliness and hair loss, to dryness and dandruff.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
20 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Slumming with her sister in San Francisco after her life with her Madoff-like ex in New York implodes, Jasmine Francis isn't quite willing to let go of the affectations that come with living in high society.—
Darren Franich,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Mar. 2026
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For the most part though, For the First Time, Again is weighed down by oversinging and emotional affectation.—
Millan Verma,
Pitchfork,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Artificiality.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/artificiality. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.
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