CHARADE Synonyms: 63 Similar and Opposite Words

charade

noun

shə-ˈrād

Definition of charade

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

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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 charade 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 One of the trip's funniest moments came during a game of Salad Bowl, a game that's a combination of charades and Catch Phrase. — Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for charade

Recent Examples of Synonyms for charade

Noun

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
For one season, before recovery and routine returned, the players stripped away all pretense and showed their hearts and willpower.

— Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of pretense

Noun

Pastel Colonial buildings lined the streets, their facades glowing in the afternoon sun, while the plazas hummed with life.

— Chantelle Kincy, Travel + Leisure, 19 Sep. 2026
On the façade of the giant concrete structure that was once intended to solve that problem, a sign written in Russian and Spanish remains visible despite the passing years.

— Juan Carlos López, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of facade

Noun

The emcee invites the UGT cast onstage to start the magic show Luann has been eagerly anticipating.

— Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026
There’s lots of them, and Peter’s quite involved with those as a master of ceremonies and doing his own show as well.

— Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 20 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

Aaron Rowe, who was one of the opening acts on Ed Sheeran’s tour before pulling out after Macklemore’s dismissal over his support for Palestine, has now issued an impassioned defense of the singer.

— Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 19 Sep. 2026
Ed Sheeran is set to resume his tour Saturday — possibly solo — after all his supporting acts withdrew in solidarity with opener Macklemore, who was dropped after making pro-Palestinian comments onstage.

— ABC News, ABC News, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of act

Noun

As if to prove the point, my wife and I arrived at the lake to find a very fit, very bronzed, nearly naked couple performing complicated yoga poses in front of an iPhone on a tripod, using the lake as their backdrop.

— Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026
Learning the key differences between poison hemlock and Queen Anne’s lace is essential for protecting yourself from the dangers that poison hemlock poses.

— SJ McShane, Martha Stewart, 18 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

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“Charade.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/charade. Accessed 24 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of charade

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Articles Related to charade

Words About Word Play

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on charade

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

pundit

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

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The Words of the Week - Sept. 25

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Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

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Games & Quizzes