as in facade
a display of emotion or behavior that is insincere or intended to deceive
although she was deeply bored, she maintained a masquerade of polite interest as her guest droned on
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 masquerade
Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
The annual Fanti Carnival saw elaborate processions with participants dressed in vibrant costumes, musical and masquerade performances, and dancing stilt walkers.
—Preeti Jha, semafor.com, 8 Apr. 2026
Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, Flow Space, 11 Feb. 2026
Today’s online environment intensifies this effect, allowing a small number of loud or coordinated voices to masquerade as true consensus.
—Big Think, 27 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for masquerade
Noun
The production, co-directed by Zhailon Levingston and Bill Rauch, jettisons the animal masquerade for a different kind of drag extravaganza.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
The annual Fanti Carnival saw elaborate processions with participants dressed in vibrant costumes, musical and masquerade performances, and dancing stilt walkers.
—Preeti Jha, semafor.com, 8 Apr. 2026
Verb
On the flip side, Lang warns that there are some serious conditions that can masquerade as menopause symptoms.
—Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, Flow Space, 11 Feb. 2026
Today’s online environment intensifies this effect, allowing a small number of loud or coordinated voices to masquerade as true consensus.
—Big Think, 27 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for masquerade
Recent Examples of Synonyms for masquerade
Noun
-
The owner, Kenneth Howell has been locked in an acrimonious battle with the city of Boise for years, after Boise staff raised concerns over temporary shoring posts bowing under the building’s weight and a crumbling facade, among other safety issues staff highlighted.—
Darin Oswald,
Idaho Statesman,
3 June 2026
-
The record of my thinking is right there in the open, teaching me tolerance for my fumbling, training me not to hide my struggle behind a seamless façade of digital perfection.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
The conflict in the Middle East has posed a severe risk to the Indian economy, as energy supply disruptions have inflated the country's import bill, piling pressure on the rupee that has already been hit by record foreign investor outflows.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
5 June 2026
-
While posing for photos, Faris was joined by her 13-year-old son Jack, whom the actress shares with former husband Chris Pratt.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
Hosts like Stephen Colbert, Jon Stewart, Jimmy Kimmel, John Oliver and Seth Meyers have all but abandoned any pretense of comedy in favor of yet another lecture on their ideological preferences.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2026
-
That had long been the perception behind the scenes and, once Newcastle’s Champions League exit was sealed at the Camp Nou in March, any public pretence to the contrary evaporated.—
Pol Ballús,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
To pretend that the Fed somehow escapes this absolute is not only false, but also a non sequitur.—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
-
Two, people might pretend to be different characters or scenarios, which can add excitement.—
Noelle Harff,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
On a year-to-date basis, the rupee has fallen by more than 6%, LSEG data shows.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
5 June 2026
-
The show is still using some of those songs, giving the score’s relationship to the script a half-in, half-out near-jukebox feeling.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
5 June 2026
Verb
-
So don't go off topic, don't impersonate anyone, and don't get your facts wrong.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
27 May 2026
-
He was booked for burglary, elder abuse, embezzlement and impersonating a contractor.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
And that came in the guise of a serious illness that threatens — but then ends up solidifying — the unbreakable bond between Deborah (Jean Smart) and her protégé, Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder), something that has been built up over the course of five seasons.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
29 May 2026
-
Dwayne Johnson is a confident guy and has donned any number of ridiculous guises during his Saturday Night Live hosting gigs over the years.—
Jesse Hassenger,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Even a middle school student would perceive a stark difference between someone who voices a bogus theory and someone who acts on it.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
31 May 2026
-
Zoe remembered more about how her sisters acted in losses than in victories.—
Ethan Hanson,
Daily News,
30 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Masquerade.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/masquerade. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
