veneer 1 of 2

1
as in facade
a deceptively attractive external appearance the veneer of civility that the neighbors had maintained over the years disappeared with the filing of the first lawsuit

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in exterior
an outer part or layer the top and sides of the desk are overlaid with cherry veneers, while the interior wood is white pine

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

veneer

2 of 2

verb

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 veneer
Noun
Your table is almost certainly veneered, meaning that the top has a thin layer of beautiful wood glued to a base material, which could be plywood or particleboard. Jeanne Huber, Washington Post, 6 Oct. 2023 And if Psyche does have a rocky mantle, ferrovolcanic seeps could have veneered it with metal from the asteroid’s core. Michael Greshko, National Geographic, 18 Sep. 2019
Verb
Guided by the principle that less is more, the interior decor showcases a combination of natural fabrics, soft wood tones, and Italian veneer finishes. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 29 Aug. 2025 For each of these men—and the broader medical and public-health community that supported the eugenics movement—the veneer of data objectivity helped transform prejudice into policy. Craig Spencer, The Atlantic, 29 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for veneer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for veneer
Noun
  • The Hotel Excelsior Venice Lido, a 1908 Moorish fantasy commissioned by entrepreneur Nicolò Spada, boasts Byzantine domes and an eclectic façade that have sheltered everyone from Winston Churchill to Erroll Flynn, from Greta Garbo to Clark Gable.
    Jenn Rice, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
  • The industry groups also dismissed Shein’s partnership with French retailer Pimkie as a facade to provide legitimacy to the Chinese giant.
    Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The exterior features a discrete zippered laptop pocket on the back, a stretchy mesh water bottle holder on the side, and a slim, zippered front compartment perfect for stashing your keys, passport, and phone.
    Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 18 Sep. 2025
  • The exterior features a stacking compatible lid, is riddled with loops for hanging accessories or other bags onto, and there are both an open and a zippered pocket.
    Adam Campbell-Schmitt, Bon Appetit Magazine, 18 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • They are made of billions of small chunks of ice and rock coated with other materials such as dust.
    Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Stock image of a frying pan coated with beef tallow.
    Toby Meyjes, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • But these figures only scratch the surface of Nepal’s deep economic problems, which include pervasive vulnerable employment – informal and insecure work that is prone to poor conditions and pay – and limited opportunities that constrain long-term productivity.
    Nir Kshetri, The Conversation, 14 Sep. 2025
  • What could have been a transformative meditation on mourning too often slips into surface-level spectacle, leaving the audience to piece together meaning from a scattershot collage of influences.
    David Hochman, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The coarsest grades of steel wool can strip paint or varnish and remove rust from surfaces.
    Abby Wolner, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 May 2025
  • In Pasto, a community gathers around varnishing — from old trade networks between harvesters, carpenters, and varnishers to fairs where artisans demonstrate their craft.
    Gabriela Molina Riascos, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • After recording the second out of the inning, the right-hander was unable to finish the frame.
    Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Both judges advised Elaine to finish her movements completely.
    Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Waltman hand-carves each of her patterns and uses slip and ash glaze to add contrasting tones.
    Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Currently, according to Applebee's website, menu items include bourbon street chicken and shrimp, hot honey glazed chicken and blackened Cajun salmon.
    Cathy Kozlowicz, jsonline.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • One of the main challenges facing the economy is the strained relationship between Beijing and Washington as disputes over technology and geopolitics mount.
    Nino Paoli, Fortune, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Jackson faced several setbacks this season but proved her fitness during the 100-meter dash rounds the past two days.
    Katelyn Hutchison, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Veneer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/veneer. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on veneer

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!