window dressing

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

Relevance

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 America must demand substantial and enforceable market access from our allies — not mere window dressing — and remain relentless in holding geopolitical rivals such as China accountable in this fiercely competitive global environment. Alan Beard, Baltimore Sun, 15 Apr. 2025 Real estate off-track isn’t frothy if indistinct window dressing — no Donk. Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 4 Apr. 2025 But efforts must be real and substantive, not just window dressing. Matthew Phillips, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025 Some skeptics suggested that corporate statements about racial justice were just window dressing. Donald T. Tomaskovic-Devey, The Conversation, 28 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for window dressing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for window dressing
facade
Noun
  • Inspired by the lines and craftsmanship of the original arcades, its bold geometric facade and sweeping interiors host a John Lewis department store, serving as a modern counterpart to the grandeur of its Victorian neighbor.
    David Nikel, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
  • Prioritize window placement early by considering exterior style, symmetry, and scale to ensure the facade feels balanced and visually pleasing.
    Elizabeth Hutchison Hicklin, Southern Living, 25 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Window dressing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/window%20dressing. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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