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
Kennedy French, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Burnout masquerades as ambition.
—Kelly Ehlers, Rolling Stone, 10 Feb. 2026
Big Think, 27 Nov. 2025
Americans have largely abandoned digesting their news through the lens of activists who masquerade as journalists in the mainstream media.
—Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for masquerade
Noun
The Shondaland series continues to follow bohemian second son Benedict Bridgerton, whose search for love was set in motion during Part 1 after he became entranced by a mysterious Lady in Silver at his mother’s masquerade ball.
—Kennedy French, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Burnout masquerades as ambition.
—Kelly Ehlers, Rolling Stone, 10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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
Americans have largely abandoned digesting their news through the lens of activists who masquerade as journalists in the mainstream media.
—Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for masquerade
Recent Examples of Synonyms for masquerade
Noun
-
The façade recalls traditional earthen walls and is studded with tile fragments and artifacts unearthed during construction.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Mar. 2026
-
While this might create a show-stopping facade, bigger isn’t always better.—
Kristine Gill,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Flights must regularly avoid regions deemed unsafe for civilian aircraft, from conflict zones to areas where other military activity poses risks.—
Zach Levitt,
New York Times,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Damaged or defunct spacecraft also pose a growing problem.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
This shocking cowardice and sheer abandonment of any pretense of ethics or values are rendered even more shameful when considering that Noem was brought down by polls, likely more than anything else.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Mar. 2026
-
What is beauty if not precisely the property that provokes us to abandon all pretense of analytic remove in our desperation to draw closer?—
Becca Rothfeld,
New Yorker,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
City Hall needs to stop pretending the job is getting done and just do it.—
Boston Herald editorial staff,
Boston Herald,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Scammers are sending emails to residents involved in planning, zoning or land-use applications pretending to be Forest Lake city planning and zoning staff members, the city said Friday.—
Kristi Miller,
Twin Cities,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In each show, the two nitwits would set out on some caper, which would inevitably go horribly wrong, leaving them broke, or tied up, or in jail, or hanging over a cliff, or some other situation of great peril.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
13 Mar. 2026
-
With style, grace and a lot of love, the Lower Merion High School figure skating duo of Justin and Suri Lue know how to put on a cutting-edge show.—
Krystle Rich,
CBS News,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Hinton is now facing charges, including impersonating a public official, along with vehicle code violations.—
Mike Darnay,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
-
So don't go off topic, don't impersonate anyone, and don't get your facts wrong.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Emma Roberts has tested nearly every possible blonde, and this bright, warm oatmeal suits her complexion while honoring the old money trend in personalized guise.—
Calin Van Paris,
InStyle,
3 Mar. 2026
-
This moment will come in many guises.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Kosas Revealer Skin Improving Foundation acted as the perfect canvas—the skin tint is lightweight, buildable, and packed with skin-improving ingredients like peptides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide.—
Kaitlin Clapinski,
InStyle,
8 Mar. 2026
-
This bridal shower dress acts as a sweet nod to my wedding weekend, and the celebrations that are just around the corner.—
Alexandra Ditch,
Vogue,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Masquerade.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/masquerade. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
