window dressing

Definition of window dressingnext
as in facade
a deceptively attractive external appearance the crime-does-not-pay moralizing is just window dressing for nasty hard-boiled stories

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 window dressing But all of that will just be window dressing. Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 11 June 2026 Everyone else is window dressing. Literary Hub, 21 May 2026 Those side-story quests are always guaranteed to be different narrative window dressings on time trials. Adam Ismail, The Drive, 14 May 2026 For years, the large-scale cannabis industry has treated aroma like window dressing — something nice to have, but not exactly essential. Sara Payan, Rolling Stone, 25 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for window dressing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for window dressing
facade
Noun
  • In 2025, a mini renovation updated the hotel’s façade, added more seating and a second hot tub to the indoor pool area, and refreshed the Gallery Restaurant to give it a more modern feel.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Sep. 2026
  • How much Moreno cared about criticism was unclear — though there were cracks in the facade.
    Andy McCullough, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Window dressing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/window%20dressing. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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