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
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 guises
This moment will come in many guises.
—
Literary Hub, 3 Mar. 2026
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
Literary Hub, 3 Mar. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for guises
Noun
-
Vivid blues, yellows and reds make the brick facades along West 18th Street pop.—
Madeline King,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
-
The west and south facades would be restored, while the rest is a modern building designed by Carrier Johnson + Culture.—
Phillip Molnar,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Packaged in cosplay costumes — cowgirl, soldier, even firefighter and pilot — we were supposed to see her as strong.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
That’s just one case where costumes that look simple required a massive amount of testing and research; another is for the Condé Nast employees kept in a holding cell after an outbreak of the virus in their office.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Fears that identifying officers could lead to violence has, in part, motivated the practice of keeping agents’ faces hidden behind masks.—
James Queally,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
But the apparent victory masks a more complicated reality that has been building for years.—
Lily Mae Lazarus,
Fortune,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Carmona had six goals in 102 appearances over five seasons with the Red Bulls.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Navarro’s first two goals of the campaign give him 30 in 78 career appearances with the Rapids.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The adults were arrested on suspicion of theft from an elder, theft by false pretenses, conspiracy, contracting without a license and other offenses.—
Tim Fang,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Yet even as Starbucks attempts to refocus on coffee by moving away from desserts masquerading as drinks, newer chains are making no pretenses about selling beverages that can easily tide someone over through a mealtime or two.—
Yasmin Tayag,
The Atlantic,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Think breezy maxi dresses, roomy tote bags for beach days, and comfortable shoes like espadrilles that pair effortlessly with nearly every travel outfit in your suitcase.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Finding comfortable, stylish spring dresses is the ultimate style hack for busy moms as temps start to warm up.—
Jacquelyn Smith,
Parents,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Former Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia brought NFL disguises to an Ohio State defense that could have three defenders picked in the top 10 in this year’s draft.—
Ted Nguyen,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
-
The use of disguises or other misrepresentations by immigration authorities has drawn attention in recent months, after federal agents were seen posing as utility workers and other service employees in Minneapolis and elsewhere.—
JAKE OFFENHARTZ THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Tears streamed from the faces of many audience members, from the opening credits to the closing slate, a testament to the emotion elicited by Wilson’s persona.—
Ian Dille,
Outside,
13 Mar. 2026
-
With six new faces already set to join the roster, GM Dan Morgan, football operations exec Brandt Tilis and head coach Dave Canales will need to keep tinkering with their roster ahead of April’s NFL Draft.—
Mike Kaye
Updated March 13,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Guises.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guises. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
