pose 1 of 3

verb (1)

ˈpōz How to pronounce pose (audio)
Definition of posenext
as in to suggest
to set before the mind for consideration posed an interesting question for the visiting astronomer

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

pose

2 of 3

verb (2)

as in to puzzle
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty utterly posed by the barrage of questions

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

pose

3 of 3

noun

as in show
a display of emotion or behavior that is insincere or intended to deceive my cheerfulness was just a pose, for I was feeling miserable

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun pose contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of pose are affectation, airs, air, and mannerism. While all these words mean "an adopted way of speaking or behaving," pose implies an attitude deliberately assumed in order to impress others.

her shyness was just a pose

When might affectation be a better fit than pose?

Although the words affectation and pose have much in common, affectation applies to a trick of speech or behavior that strikes the observer as insincere.

the posh accent is an affectation

When could air be used to replace pose?

The words air and pose can be used in similar contexts, but air may suggest natural acquirement through environment or way of life.

a traveler's sophisticated air

In what contexts can airs take the place of pose?

In some situations, the words airs and pose are roughly equivalent. However, airs always implies artificiality and pretentiousness.

snobbish airs

Where would mannerism be a reasonable alternative to pose?

While in some cases nearly identical to pose, mannerism applies to an acquired eccentricity that has become a habit.

gesturing with a cigarette was her most noticeable mannerism

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 pose
Verb
Law enforcement officials said the debris posed no danger to the public. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 19 Oct. 2026 Bristol officials say that comprehensive traffic studies have identified over 35 high-crash intersections across the city that pose immediate danger to drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians. — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026
Noun
Yet Seghers deftly exposes the insecurity, loneliness, and longing that hide behind masculinist poses. — Alex Ross, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026 So Sherman bought a bunch of funky fabric and cheap rhinestone jewelry and recreated the poses herself, as only the great artist of our postmodern age could. — Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pose
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pose
  1. suggest
  2. puzzle
  3. show
  4. propose
  5. confuse
  6. facade
  7. offer
  8. baffle
Verb
  • Sanders, one of the left’s leading critics of the AI industry, went a step beyond profit-sharing by suggesting this summer that its companies surrender half of their stock to the government.
    — Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Totally suggests the pensive headspace of an adult returning to his childhood haunts trying to make sense of it all.
    — Harry Thorfinn-George, Pitchfork, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of suggest
Verb
  • Researchers are still puzzling through what happened to the ancient Maya civilization, which mysteriously dwindled.
    — Terrence McCoy, Washington Post, 19 Oct. 2026
  • To read her book is to be reminded that childhood can be a puzzling passage for anyone, even in an ostensibly simpler time and place.
    — Danny Heitman, Christian Science Monitor, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of puzzle
Noun
  • For years, the show's staff has begun each morning with a long meeting about the day's news, and what should and should not be included in the two-hour broadcast.
    — Scott Detrow, NPR, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Presley Gerber followed his mom's footsteps into modeling, being signed by IMG Models at 15 years old and walking runway shows for brands including Moschino and Dolce & Gabbana.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of show
Verb
  • As part of the spinoff deal, Cion has proposed to invest $25 million as an anchor investor in the separate company.
    — Laya Neelakandan, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026
  • As the shooting sparked demonstrations for gun reform, Pearson joined two Democratic representatives—Justin Jones, also African American, and Gloria Johnson—to propose new gun-safety measures.
    — Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of propose
Verb
  • Bill Belichick has made a Hall of Fame career on confusing young quarterbacks.
    — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Splitter praises his movement on and off the ball, which seems to visibly confuse opposing defenses.
    — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of confuse
Noun
  • Underneath that façade was a sociopathic white supremacist neo-Nazi filled with hatred, fantasizing about mass murder nearly every day.
    — Asal Rezaei, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Starting in 2027, the Plaza Hotel will embark on a four-year-long renovation of its marble façade.
    — Timothy Latterner, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of facade
Verb
  • Dummy’s third full-length release tasks itself with offering an affirmation of life, spelled out in no uncertain terms through the thwack of DnB drumlines, abrasive distortion, and incisive songwriting.
    — Sue Park, Pitchfork, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Like Kostka, Torito is committed to offering health insurance for his employees, even as his own costs rise.
    — Alana Semuels, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of offer
Verb
  • On a lesser show, Lee would have thrown Dale a meaningful look, baffled that the material world was aligning with the woo-woo.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2026
  • But Danny Niemela, a contractor at ArDan Construction, says that the process baffles him.
    — Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of baffle

Phrases Containing pose

Browse Nearby Words

ports
pose
pose (as)
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pose.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pose. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of puissant

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Oct. 23

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All