APPEARANCE Synonyms: 129 Similar and Opposite Words

appearance

noun

ə-ˈpir-ən(t)s

Definition of appearance

as in look

the outward form of someone or something especially as indicative of a quality the dignified appearance of this church leader the country club's manicured lawns and well-groomed appearance in general

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in face

outward and often deceptive indication can't you at least give the appearance of listening to what I say?

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in arrival

the act of coming upon a scene his appearance at the party caused considerable speculation

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 appearance Still other explanations presume that the gods’ artistic representations in ritual settings are the basis of the meaning of their multiform appearances. — Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026 The club’s newest DP tallied seven goals and six assists in 20 appearances for Rio Ave in Portugal last season. — Pj Green august 28, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026 The news comes as Obama has increased appearances at Democratic Party initiatives, including another event set for Martha's Vineyard coming up and a campaign video made with a Senate nominee from Iowa. — Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026 The clip was directed by AMD and Little Miles, and features appearances fby Gio, Karrahboo, Concrete Boys, Che Mario, and more. — Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for appearance

Recent Examples of Synonyms for appearance

Noun

When model Tricia Helfer came in for a touch-up before an introductory visit to her boyfriend’s parents, Johns toned down her bright blonde chunks to play up her naturally innocent looks.

— Vanessa Friedman, Vogue, 1 Sep. 2026
Jennifer Aniston has worn a nearly identical look, and Anne Hathaway wore the same in pinstripes.

— Shea Simmons, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of look

Noun

Grande became the face of an ongoing conversation around health, and the cultural pendulum swing away from body positivity to the glorification of thinness, ignited by the proliferation of weight-loss drugs.

— José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 27 Aug. 2026
Tatcha’s top three stock keeping units today include its $74 Dewy Skin Cream, one jar of which is sold every 30 seconds, as well as the lightweight Water Cream and Rice Wash face wash, priced at $74 and $40, respectively.

— Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of face

Noun

These wild swings in the numbers came while residents here didn’t notice any change to the slow but steady arrival of newcomers in dilapidated coaches.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
But its arrivals-to-departures ratio—a measure of hires relative to exits—has fallen sharply, according to Zeki.

— Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of arrival

Noun

Some singers need just one name to leave a lasting impression.

— Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2026
The lobby makes a bold first impression with double-height ceilings, pops of pink and green, statement-making couches, and the sounds of Cuban and Spanish music setting the tone.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of impression

Noun

The advent of polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, testing, in the nineteen-eighties, enabled scientists to make numerous copies of the DNA or RNA in a sample, and that dramatically increased the sensitivity of diagnostic tests.

— Jason Liebowitz, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2026
With the advent of NIL and college realignment in college sports, many folks long for the good ol’ days.

— Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of advent

Noun

In more aggressive settings, shifts can get a bit abrupt, but the gearbox’s general demeanor is that of quick-shifting capability that plays nicely with the hybrid power train.

— Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 26 Aug. 2026
And while that player hasn’t been able to contribute to the big-league roster the way the team might have hoped, that outspoken aspect of his demeanor was on full display recently.

— Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of demeanor

Noun

Finally, Angel Martinez captured this gorgeous shot of the eclipsed Sturgeon Moon setting behind a cluster of skyscrapers in Madrid, Spain, as atmospheric effects distorted the true color and outline of the lunar disk.

— Anthony Wood, Space.com, 28 Aug. 2026
As climate change exacerbates the heat, experts say the negative effects of sizzling classrooms are here to stay, especially in school districts that may not have the resources to combat hotter weather.

— Justin Klawans, TheWeek, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of effect

Browse Nearby Words

appear

appearance

appearances

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Appearance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/appearance. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of appearance

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on appearance

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

conscientious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

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

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

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

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

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

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

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

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

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

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

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes