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
But sometimes the squashing of speech can appear in other guises.
—
Andrea Valdez, The Atlantic, 14 Mar. 2026
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
Virtuosity, on this program, also came in subtler and more avant-garde guises.
—Rachel Howard, San Francisco Chronicle, 15 Jan. 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
Andrea Valdez, The Atlantic, 14 Mar. 2026
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
Virtuosity, on this program, also came in subtler and more avant-garde guises.
—Rachel Howard, San Francisco Chronicle, 15 Jan. 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
-
Like the ongoing Destination Crenshaw initiative, Destination Market Street aims to renovate business facades and add more parking, outdoor seating, pedestrian lighting and enhanced landscaping.—
Angela Osorio,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The land recreates Arendelle around a lagoon, its timber buildings painted in muted Scandinavian pastels, facades adorned with rosemaling, a traditional Norwegian decorative art.—
Thomas Adamson,
Fortune,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
With show-stopping musical numbers, colorful costumes, and a first-rate cast, this production showcases the remarkable talent and dedication of local young performers, the news release stated.—
News Release,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Cosplaying Cartman and scary cyclists Cosplayers can spend hundreds, even thousands, of dollars to create their fanciful costumes.—
Peter Larsen,
Oc Register,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Yet immigration agents now routinely wear masks, drive unmarked cars, and refuse to identify themselves.—
Oriana van Praag,
New Yorker,
28 Mar. 2026
-
From masks to serums, balms, tints and exfoliators, lips have never felt or looked so good.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Caissie struggled a bit to start spring training, logging just one hit with six strikeouts in nine plate appearances before leaving for the tournament.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Twenty-three plate appearances with a runner on second or third base produced two hits.—
Matt Kawahara,
Houston Chronicle,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
And Trump, of course, is not—despite his pretenses otherwise—the sole decider here.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
25 Mar. 2026
-
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
Noun
-
For more of the best deals in Nordstrom’s sale, check out our favorite dresses, shorts, jeans, skirts, lounge pants, and more below.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
1 Apr. 2026
-
No more identity months, DEI offices, dudes in dresses.—
Steve Chapman,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Certain menu items, though, feel like fan favorites made to wear cumbersome disguises, while entrees outside of the burger don’t always feel as essential as the smaller plates.—
Cesar Hernandez,
San Francisco Chronicle,
27 Mar. 2026
-
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
Noun
-
Gosling fell in love with the piece but suggested a version of it with fox faces and fox footprints instead.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Favorites like Connor Tomlinson return, joined by new faces on their own love quests.—
K. Thor Jensen,
PC Magazine,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Guises.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guises. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
