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Definitions

fig leaf

NOUN

concealment

Synonyms

STRONG

beard blind camouflage cover cover-up covering curtain disguise dissimulation front hideaway mask obliteration occultation privacy secretion veil wraps

WEAK

hideout obscuration red herring smokescreen

Antonyms

WEAK

disclosure divulgence exposition revelation showing telling

NOUN

cover

Synonyms

STRONGEST

canvas cap dress envelope jacket lid roof screen sheet tent top umbrella

STRONG

awning bark binding canopy caparison case ceiling cloak clothing coating covering coverlet dome hood integument marquee overlay paint parasol sheath shroud stopper tarp tarpaulin tegument wrapper wraps

NOUN

disguise

Synonyms

STRONGEST

camouflage cloak guise trickery veil

STRONG

beard blind charade color coloring concealment costume counterfeit cover-up dissimulation dress facade face faking front illusion make believe mask masquerade pageant pretense pretension pretentiousness pseudonym put on screen semblance veneer

WEAK

false front getup pen name red herring smokescreen

Antonyms

STRONG

back character honesty personality reality rear truth

NOUN

mask

Synonyms

STRONGEST

camouflage cloak veil

STRONG

affectation air appearance aspect beard blind concealment cover up disguise dissembling dissimulation domino facade front guise hood masquerade pose posture pretense pretext put on screen semblance show simulation veneer visage visor

WEAK

disguisement window dressing

Antonyms

STRONG

reality truth

NOUN

pretext

Synonyms

STRONGEST

alibi come-off excuse guise ploy pretense ruse

STRONG

affectation appearance bluff cleanup cloak color coloring cover cover-up device face feint front mask masquerade plea routine semblance show simulation stall stratagem subterfuge veil

WEAK

cop-out cover story red herring song and dance

Antonyms

STRONGEST

reality

STRONG

back rear truth

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The United Arab Emirates pushed the U.N. resolution, proposed by Bahrain, to give hesitant states the fig leaf they might need to act.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026

“This is just a fig leaf to deflect from criticism,” Ocasio-Cortez posted on X External link in response to Kalshi’s new measures.

From Barron's • Mar. 25, 2026

Even as a fig leaf, it is surprisingly persuasive: who could argue against “efficiency,” that core value of free-market capitalism?

From Salon • Apr. 27, 2025

He shows some illustrations from his edition of the good book, which include a baby Trump in the Moses basket and Trump as Adam, naked except for a fig leaf.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2024

The valet trotted up with the requisite fig leaf, and Woolf, smiling out of one side of his mouth, wrapped it around his waist, rode into the winner’s circle, and posed for the photo.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand

fig leaf

Example Sentences

Related Words