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masquerade

masquerade

8 6.8
A false appearance that hides someone's true feelings or plans
  • noun
  • /ˌmæskəˈreɪd/
translation icon : fingimiento
  • My dad saw through the masquerade, but he did not mention it.
  • a masquerade of womanliness

Examples

Synonyms

show
vsmasquerade
829 5.3

An act to impress others that hides true feelings

serves to hide actual facts or feelings behind a public display
mask
vsmasquerade
129 5.9

A way of acting that hides how a person really feels

refers more to an outward look or public display hiding truth
charade
vsmasquerade
76 7.4

A false show that hides what is really happening

emphasizes a hidden outward show used to cover unpleasant facts
appearance
vsmasquerade
72 5.1

A way of showing yourself that hides problems to make others think well of you

aims specifically to hide reality rather than just shape a good image
pretense
vsmasquerade
  • US
65 6.1

A false claim or action to hide the truth

focuses more on outward display meant to hide the truth
guise
vsmasquerade
54 7.5

An appearance that hides the truth to trick people

describes a false outward show used to conceal what is real
ruse
vsmasquerade
53 7.7

A clever trick to deceive someone

is less about clever planning and more about a false outward show to hide truth
disguise
vsmasquerade
40 3.9

An outward appearance that hides someone's real identity or intentions

focuses on a false outward show meant to conceal facts or truth
facade
vsmasquerade
39 7.2

A false appearance that hides true problems

acts as a false outward display intended to conceal the truth
cloak
vsmasquerade
27 5.8

A thing that hides the true nature of something

is more specifically an outward pretend display aimed at hiding facts from view
camouflage
vsmasquerade
26 4.6

A way of hiding something so it is not easily seen

focuses more on a false show that aims to mislead observers about truth
smokescreen
vsmasquerade
9 7.1

An action or statement that hides the real reason behind something

is more a static outward show meant to hide truth rather than distract
deception
vsmasquerade
6 4.3

A trick that makes something look like real magic

usually refers to an outward display arranged to hide the actual truth or facts
fakery
vsmasquerade
6 6.8

A thing or action made to trick people into thinking it is real

focuses on a false outward display used specifically to conceal truth to others
put-on
vsmasquerade
  • Informal
4 7.5

A false act or story that tries to trick people, often to make them laugh

focuses more on a false outward show intended to conceal serious truth
imposture
vsmasquerade
  • Archaic
1 9.5

To pretend to be someone else to trick people

focuses more on an outward display used to hide facts rather than identity change
Potemkin facade
vsmasquerade
  • Literature
9.9

A false front that hides real problems

is the broader idea of a false appearance that hides truth

Antonyms

1.0

A fact that shows how things really are

365 1.0

Being truthful and fair in what you say and do

Compounds

4 4.8

A formal party where guests wear masks and costumes to hide who they are

A party where people wear masks and costumes to hide who they are

An outfit with a mask and fancy clothes worn to hide who you are at a party

How Deceptive

charade
76 7.4
sham
6.8
pretense
  • US
65 6.1
masquerade
8 6.8
facade
39 7.2

Surface Forms

masquerade singular
masquerades plural

Morphology

masquerade = masque (semi-transparent) = masque + ade

The figurative sense 'pretense' is a metaphorical extension from wearing a mask or disguise and is therefore related to the base meaning but not strictly compositional.

Etymology

Masquerade comes from the idea of a mask (Italian maschera 'mask'), so it came to mean any disguise or false show. So a masquerade can be something that hides the truth or pretends to be real.