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
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of guise
The government insisted his case had nothing to do with press freedom, saying the defendants used journalism as a guise to commit acts that harmed Hong Kong and China.
—
Kanis Leung, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
Both marques returned to the competition this year in new guises.
—Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 10 Feb. 2026
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
Virtuosity, on this program, also came in subtler and more avant-garde guises.
—Rachel Howard, San Francisco Chronicle, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for guise
Kanis Leung, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
Both marques returned to the competition this year in new guises.
—Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 10 Feb. 2026
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
Virtuosity, on this program, also came in subtler and more avant-garde guises.
—Rachel Howard, San Francisco Chronicle, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for guise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for guise
Noun
-
The design is purely utilitarian—no aesthetic pretense—but if clean, efficient slicing is the goal, this knife is built for it.—
Jamie Thilman,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Under owner Carter Arnett, the restaurant has stayed true to its core identity — classic flavors, consistent execution and hospitality rooted in genuine warmth rather than pretense.—
USA TODAY Network,
USA Today,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
And in 1929 Chanel designed costumes for Apollon Musagète dancers, whose tunics were belted with Charvet ties.—
Marisa Meltzer,
Vanity Fair,
24 Mar. 2026
-
One can already picture her van packed to the brim with trampolines, inflatable dolphins, pig masks, Pierrot-esque clown costumes, and one of those rainbow parachutes from elementary school gym class.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Unlike lighter lip treatments that quickly absorb (and disappear), this editor-favorite has a plush, balm-meets-mask texture that forms a cushiony layer over lips to seal in moisture overnight.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
22 Mar. 2026
-
The suspect then entered a nearby apartment building, the report stated, and appeared on the building’s internal surveillance cameras without a mask.—
Adriana Pérez,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Oklahoma State had lost in the first round in its last two March Madness appearances.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Niacinamide brightens the look of dark circles, while adenosine smooths the appearance of wrinkles over time.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Don’t mistake the play’s opening facade for what is in fact an intricate and multi-layered performance work.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Behind this façade, a sandy path leads to a dense network of row houses.—
Taran Khan,
The Dial,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The Mexican immigration agents who had guarded the group on their three-day trip from the border said their charges, still dressed in the prison garb of detainees, were now free to go.—
Kate Linthicum,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Will Meryl Streep attend the Met Gala in full Miranda Priestly garb?—
Sam Reed,
Glamour,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
When her handler Beth Traynham instructed her to search, Chelly moved quickly and confidently toward a camouflage tarp in the center of the field.—
Liz Teitz,
San Antonio Express-News,
19 Mar. 2026
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In a band where a guitar and a saxophone can use one another as camouflage, what good is absolute allegiance to six strings, anyway?—
Grayson Haver Currin,
Pitchfork,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Among the news articles and pamphlets was a flier with a photo of Stephen Miller's face circled in red with a line through it.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Even with its thick, cushiony texture, the fragrance-free formula sinks in quickly on both face and body.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
22 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Guise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guise. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.
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