facade

noun

fə-ˈsäd How to pronounce facade (audio)
variants also façade
Definition of facadenext
1
as in front
a forward part or surface all of the stores in the mall have facades that are in keeping with the style of a 19th-century American village

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in pretense
a display of emotion or behavior that is insincere or intended to deceive his interest in acting is just a facade—he joined the drama club to meet girls

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in veneer
a deceptively attractive external appearance the company's facade of success collapsed when it was revealed that its financial officers had been cooking the books for years

Synonyms & Similar 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 facade But construction crews removed the president's name from the facade in June after Cooper's ruling. — Jacob Rosen, CBS News, 27 Aug. 2026 The council ultimately kept the roadway language in the letter of intent while adding a facade easement. — Noah Daly august 27, Idaho Statesman, 27 Aug. 2026 This allows energy-harvesting technology to be integrated directly into architectural elements, such as skyscraper facades, glass windows, and skylights. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 26 Aug. 2026 The façade was already undergoing a $22 million overhaul, and there were deeper, systemic problems to solve. — Noah Shachtman, Vanity Fair, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for facade
Recent Examples of Synonyms for facade
  1. front
  2. pretense
  3. veneer
  4. guise
  5. gloss
  6. show
  7. pose
  8. act
Noun
  • Although not quite as polished on the racial politics front, Lanterns’s third episode is no less intriguing, as an hour of television dedicated not only to answering pressing questions but fleshing out its lead character in disturbing ways.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The California Pizza Kitchen Story is like two-books-in-one on this front.
    — Caroline Ceniza-Levine, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of front
Noun
  • Behind closed doors, Chloe gets hired by Melody under the pretense that Chloe is helping her teacher’s illiterate husband learn how to read.
    — Matt Minton, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026
  • This entire argument has been under the pretense that the Steelers will need a win — and Rudolph will deliver it.
    — Mike DeFabo, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of pretense
Noun
  • Spirit’s team created a warm mahogany-and-veneer interior defined by curves, with details such as fore-and-aft berths, a shower, a galley, and an electric head.
    — Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The floor is finished in wood veneer with underfloor warming.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of veneer
Noun
  • Throughout the weekend, Dudamel embraced the worlds of Hollywood, Latin music in many guises and old-fashioned rock.
    — Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • With their traditional, legacy rivals — the Manchester clubs, Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur — in various guises of transition, Arsenal are suddenly the team to beat and the Emirates is suddenly a library of sound; noise please.
    — George Caulkin, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of guise
Noun
  • Among them is his baby son, who rests in ‘infantile sublimity, exuding a high gloss induced by early death….
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2026
  • That was a big thing that everyone in the salons would always be doing is getting the glosses.
    — Lauren Valenti, InStyle, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of gloss
Noun
  • Crude-tanker stocks have led the rally, up 120% year-to-date, followed by car carriers, gas carriers and dry-bulk shippers, Lloyd's data show.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The fact that the show couldn’t manage even a modicum of suspense with the same material shows how utterly sauceless this adaptation is.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of show
Noun
  • The black and red T, which the actress wore as a minidress sans pants, showcased the superhero in one of his signature poses.
    — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026
  • At the time, fans were quick to point out that the majority of the crew members seen in the clip were men, while Sweeney was sitting in a suggestive pose.
    — Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of pose
Noun
  • The last act before festival founder Olivia Rodrigo, Roan turned it out with all of her powers—bolstered by a bold and bitchy, razor-sharp bob.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Here below, France’s own long-drink-of-water goalie Robin Risser does his best Beckham follow-on act with a stately Louis Vuitton carry-all with their trademark leather trim at the stress points.
    — Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of act

Browse Nearby Words

fabulousness
facade
facades
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Facade.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/facade. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on facade

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about facade

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!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of apiary

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

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

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
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
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All