dissemblers
Those feigning sincerity
Dissemblers are people who hide their true feelings, motives, or beliefs behind a false appearance.
The word carries moral weight—dissemblers aren't just private or reserved, they actively deceive: The court was full of dissemblers and flatterers.
Politicians, spies, and social climbers often earn the label.
Related to dissemble, meaning to conceal one's real nature.
Deceptive outward appearance
- maskFace-worn concealment
- disguiseIdentity-concealing alteration
- veilFabric that obscures
- cover-upHiding wrongdoing from public
camouflage · smokescreen · false face · persona · front · cloak · shroud · concealment
Deliberate misleading behavior
- deceitDeliberate misleading of others
- subterfugeDeliberate deception to conceal
- trickeryDeliberate deception or fraud
- chicaneryDeception through clever manipulation
cunning · guile · artifice · craftiness · manipulation · scheming · slyness · wiliness
One feigning another's identity
- charlatanFaker claiming false expertise
- fraudsterCriminal deceiver for gain
- hypocriteFeigns virtue falsely
- pretenderIllegitimate claimant to power
faker · phony · sham · con artist · trickster · mountebank · quack · swindler
Pretending to feel something
- simulationImitation of real processes
- playactingInsincere dramatic performance
- posturingInsincere behavior for effect
- affectationArtificial behavior for effect
posing · fakery · insincerity · false front · put-on · act · performance · show
facade
Deceptive outward appearance
cover-up · camouflage · smokescreen · false face · persona · front · cloak · shroud · concealment · deceptive appearance
duplicity
Deliberate misleading behavior
- deceitDeliberate misleading of others
- subterfugeDeliberate deception to conceal
- trickeryDeliberate deception or fraud
chicanery · cunning · guile · artifice · craftiness · manipulation · scheming · slyness · wiliness · foxiness
impostor
One feigning another's identity
- charlatanFaker claiming false expertise
- fraudsterCriminal deceiver for gain
- hypocriteFeigns virtue falsely
pretender · faker · phony · sham · con artist · trickster · mountebank · quack · swindler · hoaxer
feigning
Pretending to feel something
- simulationImitation of real processes
- playactingInsincere dramatic performance
- posturingInsincere behavior for effect
affectation · posing · fakery · insincerity · false front · put-on · act · performance · show · front
dissemblerstruth-tellers
Those who state facts
straight shooters · honest brokers · open books · straight talkers · whistleblowers