Synonyms of guise

guise

noun

ˈgīz 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pretense
• facade
• show
• act
• pose
• disguise
• masquerade
• semblance
• airs
• charade
• front
• cloak
• pretext
• performance
• appearance
• playacting
• persona
• portrayal
• impersonation
• put-on
• image
• deception
• camouflage
• excuse
• duplicity
• affectation
• betrayal
• gloss
• deceit
• fraud
• treason
• dissimulation
• treachery
• perfidy
• guile
• color
• falseness
• fakery
• dissembling
• double cross
• infidelity
• faithlessness
• falsity
• double-dealing
• unfaithfulness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• sincerity
• frankness
• directness
• candor
• forthrightness
• straightforwardness
• bluntness
• outspokenness
• candidness
• naïveté
• genuineness
• artlessness
• plainspokenness
• openheartedness

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

• costume
• garb
• clothes
• attire
• dress
• outfit
• getup
• togs
• apparel
• style
• mode
• drag
• raiment
• duds
• habiliment(s)
• fashion
• vestments
• array
• caparison

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

• costume
• mask
• camouflage
• disguise
• veil
• paint
• visor
• dress
• coloring
• rig
• vizard
• costumery
• cosmetic
• domino
• makeup
• outfit
• getup

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• appearance
• face
• impression
• effect
• semblance
• name
• seeming
• show
• first blush
• pretense
• outward
• implication
• cloak
• likeness
• resemblance
• air
• suggestion
• display
• surface
• imitation
• hint
• representation
• fiction
• mask
• demonstration
• facade
• image
• disguise
• simulation
• pose
• affectation
• masquerade
• insinuation
• front
• exterior
• veneer
• shape
• shell
• make-believe
• gloss
• imposture
• patina
• Potemkin village

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of guise

Somewhere between a sandal and a ballet flat, caged silhouettes come in all manner of guises. — Sarah Leigh Bannerman, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 July 2026

Everything from the division of the Peaches and the Plums to Shamea’s tagline this season is a secret cry from Shamea to Porsha, begging for attention under the guise of her own emancipation. — Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 29 June 2026

After examining her injury, Brito began to caress and massage Patient 1’s foot under the guise of providing care. — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 28 June 2026

The slow-burn thriller is partially based on a 17th century ballad in which the heroic outlaw’s cousin, a malevolent prioress, bleeds the older, ailing Robin to death under the guise of the ancient medical treatment known as bloodletting. — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 22 June 2026