fig leaf

noun

Definition of fig leafnext
as in Potemkin village

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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 fig leaf The drink has to cut through fig leaf oil and caviar without overwhelming the white asparagus. — Noel Burgess, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026 Critics, however, argued that the focus on local control was a fig leaf for austerity and dismantling the welfare state. — National Correspondent, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026 Cocktails include the Rebujito, made with a sherry blend, Spanish melon, lemon, tonic and mint; the Fig Leaf Boulevardier, with Japanese whisky, Campari, Cocchi Rosa and fig leaf liqueur; and the Sea Buckthorn 75, featuring genmaicha gin, sea buckthorn cordial, lemon and Champagne. — Eva Remijan-Toba, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026 But for houses connected to public water and sewer, lot size rules are arbitrary, lacking even a fig leaf of public health or safety concern. — Salim Furth, Boston Herald, 28 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fig leaf
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fig leaf
  1. Potemkin village
  2. screen
  3. shield
  4. blind
Noun
  • 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
Definition of Potemkin village
Noun
  • The modular laptop display system is not an entirely new idea, and there are some existing products on the market that offer detachable portable screens.
    — Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Investor uses a stylus and tablet to analyze stock market and crypto charts on a large screen, highlighting trading, finance insights, and market data in a moody, focused workspace.
    — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of screen
Noun
  • Martin claims the original Seaquarium’s exemption from that rule shields his project, too; the plaintiffs say the exemption doesn’t apply.
    — Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 10 Nov. 2026
  • While a wide range of benefits are available for veterans under the VA shield, few realize what impact veterans provide once out of uniform.
    — Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 9 Nov. 2026
Definition of shield
Noun
  • Jackson’s blind was situated on rolling private farmland, and late that afternoon a fawn deer strolled down a mountain trail toward Jackson shortly before nightfall.
    — Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Corso sets up in the blind and points the scope across the water at a neon-pink bouquet of Greater Flamingos ballet-dancing along the far edge of the lagoon, while grebes dive, avocets wade, and egrets and herons hunt in the foreground.
    — Alexandra Marvar, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of blind

Browse Nearby Words

fights shy of
fig leaf
fig leafs
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fig leaf.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fig%20leaf. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

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