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
  • Rather than actual service failures, those logistical wrinkles serve as reminders that beneath the polished five-star veneer sits a functioning medical practice attempting to reconcile luxury hospitality with individualized medicine.
    — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Cornerstone Building Brands The Kearney plant, located near W Washington and W Major streets, manufactures a variety of building materials for residential and commercial uses, such as siding, windows, doors, stone veneer, fences and gutters.
    — Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 21 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
  • Semipermanent hair color At-home glosses and color-depositing conditioners fall somewhere between temporary camouflage and salon color.
    — Casey DelBasso, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
  • So, with her back garden pantry set to soon look more potatoes-and-carrots than homegrown orange orchard, will the Duchess keep the all-Americana, Netflix-y glimmer and gloss?
    — Chandler Tregaskes, Vanity Fair, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of gloss
Noun
  • In addition to Broadway, the show has played in nine countries across four continents since making its West End debut in 2019.
    — Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Early in the show, Styles thanked opening act Jamie XX and then took a moment to acknowledge a full-circle moment on this opening night.
    — Karla Cote, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of show
Noun
  • Strike a pose in our free photobooth where looking hot enough to eat is highly encouraged.
    — Beatrice Verhoeven, HollywoodReporter, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The crowd points their phones at the pair, who are alternating between short dances, rhythmic movements, and striking poses.
    — Mitchell McCluskey, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 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 1 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on facade

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about facade

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