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Showing results for fig leaf. Search instead for figea.
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.

“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

Magda, the manager, helps me with a goat cheese, Mothais sur Feuille, wrapped in a fig leaf.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 10, 2025

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

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.