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charade

noun

shə-ˈrād How to pronounce charade (audio)
Definition of charadenext
as in pretense
a display of emotion or behavior that is insincere or intended to deceive put on a convincing charade to keep her from knowing about the surprise party

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 charade Indeed, Congress periodically engages in a debt ceiling charade, which wastes a lot of time and energy and limits nothing. — Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 15 July 2026 The referee then has to stand in front of the monitor, hands on hips, and go through a charade of free will. — Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 14 July 2026 Monikers is a party game that progresses from clue-giving to charades, perfect for inside jokes and big groups. — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 23 June 2026 Liam, once aimless and unhoused, quickly finds purpose in the charade as a husband and father. — Sam Bodrojan, IndieWire, 17 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for charade
Recent Examples of Synonyms for charade
  1. pretense
  2. facade
  3. show
  4. guise
  5. act
  6. pose
  7. masquerade
Noun
  • Conference expansion has shattered pretenses to regional coherence.
    — Geraldo L. Cadava, The Atlantic, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Cinematic pretense and the kinds political leaders and media personalities use to sell ideas are often one and the same.
    — Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of pretense
Noun
  • Lourdes Bishop Jean-Marc Micas in 2025 decided to cover the facade of the Notre Dame du Rosaire Basilica, reasoning that abuse victims who come to Lourdes for healing shouldn’t be forced to see them.
    — Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Lourdes Bishop Jean-Marc Micas in 2025 decided cover the façade of the Notre Dame du Rosaire Basilica, reasoning that abuse victims who come to Lourdes for healing shouldn’t be forced to see them.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of facade
Noun
  • For his first resort show since being named creative director of Chanel in 2024, Blazy chose Biarritz, another French coastal town with historic ties to the label’s founder.
    — Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Madonna performed for the first time in 23 years at the MTV VMAs on Sunday, opening the show by bringing out special guests Sabrina Carpenter and Charli xcx to perform their respective duets.
    — Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of show
Noun
  • As critics such as Antonio Candido have remarked, regionalism was at bottom an attempt to render Latin American reality in its dominant rural guise.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Throughout the weekend, Dudamel embraced the worlds of Hollywood, Latin music in many guises and old-fashioned rock.
    — Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of guise
Noun
  • Next week, Dakota Johnson will host with Turnstile as the musical act.
    — McKinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Storming a podium at a meeting of academics is a pointless performative act.
    — Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of act
Noun
  • People were talking to themselves, doing yoga poses, trying to sleep.
    — Anand Giridharadas, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Few performers have ever been so naturally gifted at the pop-star pose, yet few have abdicated the gig so fast.
    — Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of pose
Noun
  • Each show has a different theme that will transport you to an over-the-top setting, from a masquerade ball to old Hollywood.
    — Bebe Hodges, Cincinnati Enquirer, 10 Sep. 2026
  • That kind of cynicism is cheap and facile and masquerades as intelligence and erudition.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of masquerade

Browse Nearby Words

character sketches
charade
charades
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Cite this Entry

“Charade.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/charade. Accessed 29 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on charade

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about charade

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