charade

[shuh-reyd, shuh-rahd]

noun

1. (used with a singular verb),  charades, a game in which the players are typically divided into two teams, members of which take turns at acting out in pantomime a word, phrase, title, etc., which the members of their own team must guess.

2. a word or phrase acted out in this game.

3. a blatant pretense or deception, especially something so full of pretense as to be a travesty.

charade

/ ʃəˈrɑːd /

noun

1. an episode or act in the game of charades

2. an absurd act; travesty

Word History and Origins

Origin of charade¹

1770–80; < French < Provençal charrad ( o ) entertainment, equivalent to charr ( á ) to chat, chatter (from imitative root) + -ado -ade ¹

Example Sentences

"The Saudi authorities continue to detain my sister while they persist in their charade of whitewashing their image and claiming to empower women in front of Western media," her sister Fawzia al-Otaibi told BBC Sport.

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“Don is the audience’s window, the one who can see through the charade.”

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Having been on “The Apprentice,” Jillette knows a thing or two about deception outside of performing magic — specifically the charade of a competition television show.

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“His actions — and those of his Cabinet — are against our deeply held American values. He needs to stop this illegal charade now.”

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The decision on how to proceed now rests with Macron, who must surely be asking himself how long this political charade can be allowed to go on.

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Related Words

• deception 
• farce 
• travesty