1
as in pretense
a display of emotion or behavior that is insincere or intended to deceive
he allowed himself to dine at fine restaurants all over the world under the guise of research for his book on international cuisine
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in costume
clothing chosen as appropriate for a specific situation
she felt as though she should be wearing some sort of Germanic guise, complete with dirndl, for the fall festival featuring traditional German food and drink
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in mask
clothing put on to hide one's true identity or imitate someone or something else
he sneaked into the castle to rescue Ivanhoe in the guise of a priest coming to give Ivanhoe his last rites
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in appearance
outward and often deceptive indication
hazing rituals may have the guise of harmless fun, but often the reality is serious physical abuse
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 guise
Many of Mulaney’s friends — including Kroll, Seth Meyers and others from Mulaney’s inner circle — convinced him to come under the guise of a college friend’s dinner.
—
Clayton Davis, Variety, 27 May 2025
Under his direction, USAID kept some of the basic needs initiatives but reformed them under private enterprise guises.
—Time, 12 May 2025
This tactic is sometimes used to justify letting an employee go under the guise of poor performance.
—Sho Dewan, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025
The designer, known for his maximalist, gender-fluid creations, sees his role as providing a bridge to allow people to explore apparently imaginary identities by slipping into new guises.
—Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for guise
Clayton Davis, Variety, 27 May 2025
Under his direction, USAID kept some of the basic needs initiatives but reformed them under private enterprise guises.
—Time, 12 May 2025
This tactic is sometimes used to justify letting an employee go under the guise of poor performance.
—Sho Dewan, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025
The designer, known for his maximalist, gender-fluid creations, sees his role as providing a bridge to allow people to explore apparently imaginary identities by slipping into new guises.
—Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for guise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for guise
Noun
-
But his heart remained on the South Side, where fans appreciated him for his workmanlike approach, his quick pace and a lack of pretense.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
11 July 2025
-
The federal indictment alleged that Combs and his associates lured female victims, often under the pretense of a romantic relationship.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
2 July 2025
Noun
-
Every cobbled lane was blocked by revelers crowded outside the bars, all wearing white-and-red fiesta costumes.—
Tony Perrottet,
Smithsonian Magazine,
30 June 2025
-
Unfolding against the backdrop of SCAD’s campus in the hilltop village of Lacoste in the Luberon Valley, honorees included actor Toby Jones, director Stephen Frears, screenwriter Christopher Hampton and James Bond and Harry Potter costume designer Jany Temime.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
30 June 2025
Noun
-
For now, the line between person and program is still visible—most of us can see the code beneath the mask.—
Paul Bloom,
New Yorker,
14 July 2025
-
From the best eye mask for travel to the best neck pillow, every item on this list is under $40.—
Jasmine Gomez,
Travel + Leisure,
13 July 2025
Noun
-
Marking her first-ever Dior appearance, Kate delivered a bold and historic style moment steeped in royal legacy.—
Janine Henni,
People.com,
8 July 2025
-
Roebuck made one further appearance for Barcelona against Levante in February but did not feature again for the club.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
8 July 2025
Noun
-
After arriving, fire crews reported that parts of the facade and some of the parapet separated from the parking garage, sending bricks crashing to the sidewalk and street below, Nolan said.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
9 July 2025
-
The narrow cobblestone street cuts through the city’s Old Town toward the waterfront and abuts the eastern facade of Diocletian’s Palace, an ancient Roman fortress built about 1,700 years ago.—
Aspen Pflughoeft
July 9,
Miami Herald,
9 July 2025
Noun
-
His mother-in-law, dressed in traditional garb, had traveled in from Liberia for the event.—
Hannah Dreyfus,
AZCentral.com,
5 July 2025
-
Alcaraz came out looking the part in garb not dissimilar to the great Roger Federer’s whiter than white cardigan range.—
Tim Ellis,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
Noun
-
The bags come in pink and black stripes and a camouflage adorned with florals.—
Lisa Lockwood,
Footwear News,
1 July 2025
-
The British soldiers fought in red uniforms with orderly precision and methodical execution; Marion fought in camouflage from trees and bushes.—
Chip Bell,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
Noun
-
The two come face to face in the villa, three years after Clayton dumped Rachel in the season 26 finale of the ABC series.—
Joelle Goldstein,
People.com,
14 July 2025
-
And When an Israeli asks for coffee, serve him a coffee, beside a stencil of a scalding cup hitting a face.—
Guy Ben-Aharon,
The Atlantic,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Guise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guise. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share