1
as in pretense
a display of emotion or behavior that is insincere or intended to deceive
he allowed himself to dine at fine restaurants all over the world under the guise of research for his book on international cuisine
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in costume
clothing chosen as appropriate for a specific situation
she felt as though she should be wearing some sort of Germanic guise, complete with dirndl, for the fall festival featuring traditional German food and drink
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in mask
clothing put on to hide one's true identity or imitate someone or something else
he sneaked into the castle to rescue Ivanhoe in the guise of a priest coming to give Ivanhoe his last rites
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in appearance
outward and often deceptive indication
hazing rituals may have the guise of harmless fun, but often the reality is serious physical abuse
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of guise
At an Antarctic research station, a shape-shifting alien creature — in the initial guise of a dog — takes over and metamorphosizes into a variety of beings, supplanting the humans until their mutual distrust and isolation lead to paranoia and violence.
—
David Morgan, CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026
In a partial charade guise arranged by Mike Cristaldi, the team’s vice president of communications, and his longtime TV partner Eric Collins, Curry was the victim of a gotcha moment.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 14 Jan. 2026
Even if that weight claim proves overly optimistic, consider that a Mazda Miata—among the lightest modern mass-market sports cars—checks in at roughly 1,100 kg (just over 2,400 lbs) in soft-top guise.
—IEEE Spectrum, 9 Jan. 2026
Approved by The Boss himself, the live-music and storytelling show finds Azaria slipping into his best Springsteen guise for a night of gruff tales and greatest hits.
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 24 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for guise
David Morgan, CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026
In a partial charade guise arranged by Mike Cristaldi, the team’s vice president of communications, and his longtime TV partner Eric Collins, Curry was the victim of a gotcha moment.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 14 Jan. 2026
Even if that weight claim proves overly optimistic, consider that a Mazda Miata—among the lightest modern mass-market sports cars—checks in at roughly 1,100 kg (just over 2,400 lbs) in soft-top guise.
—IEEE Spectrum, 9 Jan. 2026
Approved by The Boss himself, the live-music and storytelling show finds Azaria slipping into his best Springsteen guise for a night of gruff tales and greatest hits.
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 24 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for guise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for guise
Noun
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This shocking cowardice and sheer abandonment of any pretense of ethics or values are rendered even more shameful when considering that Noem was brought down by polls, likely more than anything else.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Mar. 2026
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What is beauty if not precisely the property that provokes us to abandon all pretense of analytic remove in our desperation to draw closer?—
Becca Rothfeld,
New Yorker,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Adriana Lambarri’s costumes skillfully replicate the actor’s garb in the film while composer/sound designer Jazer Sibley-Schwartz channels at the outset a knowing nod to John Williams’ indelible, two-note cadence of menacing notes announcing the shark’s arrival.—
Christopher Smith,
Oc Register,
10 Mar. 2026
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And when Martha slips into costume designer Brenna Maienschein’s form-fitting leopard-print dress, her predatory strategy to seduce Nick as the final flank maneuver against her husband becomes clear.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Two other assistants, called DingDing and Cylo, can also be seen behind the black curtain — their faces hidden in knitted clown masks or shielded by makeup.—
Jessica Gelt,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
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Watts wore Balenciaga spring 2026 look 49, minus the cream opera gloves and eye mask shown on the runway.—
Maggie Clancy,
Footwear News,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Neither team scored until Martinez used assists from Stephen Eustáquio and defender Sergi Palencia in the 55th minute to find the net for the first time this season and for the ninth time in the 20-year-old’s 49th appearance and 20th start.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
8 Mar. 2026
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Frederick’s assist was his first in his 13th career appearance.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The façade recalls traditional earthen walls and is studded with tile fragments and artifacts unearthed during construction.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Mar. 2026
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While this might create a show-stopping facade, bigger isn’t always better.—
Kristine Gill,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Some of the cast comes out, in alien garb, to support him.—
Andy Hoglund,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Mar. 2026
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The image shows him in aviator’s garb with a biplane flying overhead.—
Steve Sadin,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Another activity is setting a leprechaun trap with pulleys to teach about working with objects in motion and camouflage.—
Julie Gallant,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
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However, camouflage, vegetation and changing lighting conditions often make these mines nearly invisible in conventional images.—
Sagar Lekhak,
The Conversation,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
This cooling rollerball feels like coffee for your face.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2026
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Over the past year, assaults against ICE personnel have risen 8,000%, according to the DHS, and federal police have opted to hide their faces and identities while working in public.—
Anna Giaritelli,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Guise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guise. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
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