1
as in facades
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in costumes
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 masks
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 appearances
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 guises
Both marques returned to the competition this year in new guises.
—
Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 10 Feb. 2026
Populism in all its guises surfaces problems but rarely solves them.
—Stephen Kotkin, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
Bad actors can take on all kinds of guises—including pretending to be lawyers.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 10 Feb. 2026
Populism in all its guises surfaces problems but rarely solves them.
—Stephen Kotkin, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
Bad actors can take on all kinds of guises—including pretending to be lawyers.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for guises
Noun
-
According to a draft document on preserving the building Wednesday, among the suggestions are much of the main building’s facades, including historic concrete, windows, doors and structural elements, which would be protected and could not be painted, altered or covered.—
Everton Bailey Jr,
Dallas Morning News,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Now, the spot has undergone a careful restoration of its facades just steps from Como’s city center.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In the time since, his take on the character has become a fixture of fascination in pop culture, spawning a countless number of halloween costumes, memes and commentary.—
Payton Turkeltaub,
Variety,
21 Feb. 2026
-
And who doesn’t love costumes at Halloween?—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
That ruling paved the way for federal immigration officials to continue wearing masks during California operations.—
Nathaniel Percy,
Daily News,
22 Feb. 2026
-
The brand has all the essentials to flaunt your natural texture with pride—shampoos, creams, conditioners, masks, treatments, and a styling gloss.—
Kieaundria Bellamy,
InStyle,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Potente guest-stars this season as the chilling killer Irene Vaggan, who is obsessed with Navajo culture and Leaphorn in particular, while Udo Kier, who died in November, makes one of his final appearances as her evil, yet fading grandfather Gunther.—
Pat Saperstein,
Variety,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Last week, Markle appeared at the Fifteen Percent Pledge Gala in a glamorous white gown with a black cloak and, a few weeks earlier, the duo made two appearances at the Sundance Film Festival.—
Meg Walters,
InStyle,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Johnson eventually pleaded no contest to three counts of false pretenses between $1,000 and $20,000.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
29 Jan. 2026
-
She is also charged with one count of embezzlement from a vulnerable adult of between $1,000 and $20,000 and one count of false pretenses of between $1,000 and $20,000.—
Paul Egan,
Freep.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In this week’s show, there were slinky fabrics and macho outerwear, and scraps of fur over jersey dresses clinging to terrific asses of all sizes.—
Rachel Tashjian,
CNN Money,
18 Feb. 2026
-
The signature styles of Röyksopp Gakkai were reimagined with smock dresses and A-line shorts while paying homage to the outfits worn by the Hime-chan in the comic book, with its varsity jackets and pleated skirts.—
Fairchild Studio,
Footwear News,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Figaro disguises Almaviva as a drunken soldier, and later as a music teacher, to sneak into Barbaro’s home and secretly win Rosina’s hand before revealing his true identity.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Macdonald’s defense, the trendiest in the sport, flummoxed Maye with a rotation of disguises and pressure looks.—
Jerry Brewer,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Expect to see guests decked out in designer wear, Silicon Valley types, and even some famous faces, especially during Coachella and Palm Springs’ annual film festival.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Feb. 2026
-
That particular corner was filled with pink shirts and defeated faces, and Salloi stood in front of them, fingers in the corners of his mouth, drawing his smile wide like the Joker.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Guises.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guises. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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