masquerade 1 of 2

noun

ˌma-skə-ˈrād How to pronounce masquerade (audio)
Definition of masqueradenext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

masquerade

2 of 2

verb

as in to pose

Related 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 masquerade
Noun
This multitasking piece masquerades as a comfortable bench, but is also the ultimate decluttering companion in a busy room. — Tanya Sharma, PEOPLE, 16 May 2026 Like an 18th century masquerade ball, more and more celebrities kept arriving in varying levels of disguise. — Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 5 May 2026
Verb
The interior designers agreed that the most consistent small space trend is storage that masquerades as something else or serves multiple purposes. — Lacey Ramburger, The Spruce, 22 May 2026 But many preventable executive mistakes are state problems masquerading as strategy problems. — Gerald J. Leonard, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for masquerade
Recent Examples of Synonyms for masquerade
  1. facade
  2. pose
  3. pretense
  4. pretend
  5. show
  6. impersonate
  7. guise
  8. act
Noun
  • Europe has long resisted air conditioning as noisy, an eyesore on architectural facades and unnecessary, as brutal summer heat has been relatively short-lived.
    — Anniek Bao,Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 2 July 2026
  • Original Tuscan columns on the facade were preserved, while interior crown moldings were restored and paired with bleached hardwood chevron floors, new chandeliers, and mantlepieces.
    — Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 2 July 2026
Definition of facade
Verb
  • Vehicle stops can be inherently fraught and unpredictable, with the person behind the wheel in control of thousands of pounds of steel that can pose great risk should a driver refuse to comply or simply panic and flee.
    — Caroll Alvarado, CNN Money, 14 July 2026
  • Rain totaling a tenth to quarter-inch is expected from Lake Tahoe south to Yosemite between Monday and Tuesday, with brief but intense afternoon thunderstorms posing a dry lightning risk.
    — Sean Macaday July 13, Sacbee.com, 13 July 2026
Definition of pose
Noun
  • Trimpey also faces a felony charge of obtaining money by false pretenses.
    — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2026
  • In the suit, Ibrahim alleges that he was lured to the gym under the pretense of a challenge and was ambushed by Watson, a co-owner of the gym and two other men.
    — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026
Definition of pretense
Verb
  • But the favor economy has a bias problem baked into its wiring, and pretending otherwise helps no one.
    — Jasmine Browley, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
  • Julius and Ethel, this guest insisted, were both guilty as charged, and to pretend otherwise was a pinko fantasy.
    — Amy Weiss-Meyer, The Atlantic, 10 July 2026
Definition of pretend
Noun
  • In the comedy series field, the writing noms were dominated by auteur forces who are on both sides of the camera for their shows.
    — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 9 July 2026
  • Other staff members react with shock and concern after the fall, the video shows.
    — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 9 July 2026
Definition of show
Verb
  • An intern at the company began receiving messages impersonating Ghosemajumder in his first week—the result of criminals scraping LinkedIn to map a new hire’s reporting chain and identify exactly whom to imitate.
    — Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 13 July 2026
  • This helps the platform track scams that impersonate its brand.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 6 July 2026
Definition of impersonate
Noun
  • Somewhere between a sandal and a ballet flat, caged silhouettes come in all manner of guises.
    — Sarah Leigh Bannerman, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 July 2026
  • Everything from the division of the Peaches and the Plums to Shamea’s tagline this season is a secret cry from Shamea to Porsha, begging for attention under the guise of her own emancipation.
    — Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 29 June 2026
Definition of guise
Verb
  • Mozeliak argues the team doesn’t need to tank to win, but rather act more like a big market team.
    — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • Maintenance inhalers are either long-acting airway dilators or anti-inflammatory medications like steroids that patients should take daily.
    — Alexandra Frost, USA Today, 5 July 2026
Definition of act

Phrases Containing masquerade

Browse Nearby Words

masque
masquerade
masquerade (as)
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Cite this Entry

“Masquerade.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/masquerade. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on masquerade

Nglish: Translation of masquerade for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about masquerade

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