a strong facade

USAGE SUMMARY

'a strong facade' is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to describe something that appears to have strength or solidity, but which in reality is not as strong as it appears. For example, "The politician maintained a strong facade, but the truth was that their policies lacked substance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In these films, Cotten established a rather complex screen persona that of a weak man with a strong facade: ingratiating but cynical, decent but ineffectual, charming but largely impotent.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

2. @strideby_shooters - For those who love street photography with a grand sense of scale or strong facades, this feature account is for you!

Huffington Post

Garnier, an unknown 35-year-old architect when he began work on the theater, diplomatically described it as "Napoleon III style," although it is unlike any other building of the era, with its polychromatic facade showing a strong Italian influence.

The New York Times - Arts

Tall buildings are usually photographed from below, but focus on the shapes and textures of facades to give a strong, graphic result.

The Guardian - Travel

Behind his facade of urbane charm and unfailing politeness, there was a strong will and steely nature.

BBC

The artistic creations evince a strong element of order and simplicity, culminating in the Classical grandeur of Racine's plays and the facade of Versailles.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Studios from €65 (sleep two, excluding breakfast), [phone], lisbonaire.com Behind the traditional facade of this centrally-located building is an urban retreat with a restaurant and spa, and a strong focus on sustainability.

The Guardian - Travel

"The fire is still burning, but from it has emerged a stronger spirit," the mayor said, standing in front of the scorched facade of the Dow Jones building.

The New York Times

It adds value by buying properties with good locations but bad facades and may be in need of a stronger grocery, drug or department store anchor.

Forbes

They also created a stronger horizontal division between the first and second stories of the retable's facade, thus transforming Balbás's Spanish Ultrabaroque into the Mexican Ultrabaroque.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Embracing sentiment without going soft on substance, she hides her stronger purpose beneath a facade of gentility in a manner that would make Jane Austen smile.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a strong facade" when you want to convey that an outward show of strength hides underlying weakness or vulnerability. Make sure the context clearly indicates the contrast between appearance and reality.

Common error

Avoid using "a strong facade" when you intend to describe genuine, unblemished strength. This phrase inherently implies a deceptive or superficial aspect. If there's no hidden weakness, choose a more straightforward descriptor of strength.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a strong facade" functions as a descriptive noun phrase, modifying a subject by attributing to it the quality of appearing strong on the outside while potentially concealing inner weakness. The Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a strong facade" is a phrase used to describe something that appears powerful externally but conceals underlying weakness. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in English. Though relatively infrequent, the phrase appears in diverse contexts, including news, encyclopedias and scientific publications. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure the context accurately reflects the duality of outward strength and hidden vulnerability. Alternatives such as "imposing exterior" or "resilient front" may be considered depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

robust facade

Synonymous with "a strong facade", but emphasizes robustness.

imposing exterior

Focuses on the visual aspect of strength.

resilient front

Highlights the ability to withstand pressure.

solid appearance

Emphasizes the visual impression of stability.

convincing semblance

Highlights the deceptive aspect of facade.

sturdy veneer

Emphasizes a thin, but strong, outer layer.

firm presentation

Focuses on how something is presented rather than its intrinsic qualities.

determined display

Highlights the intentional effort to project strength.

powerful image

Focuses on perceived strength rather than actual strength.

confident face

Emphasizes the display of confidence, which may or may not reflect reality.

FAQs

How can I use "a strong facade" in a sentence?

You can use "a strong facade" to describe someone or something that appears powerful or resilient on the surface, but is actually vulnerable or weak underneath. For example, "Despite his fears, he maintained "a strong facade" during the presentation".

What's the difference between "a strong facade" and "genuine strength"?

"A strong facade" implies that the apparent strength is a deceptive cover for underlying weakness or vulnerability. "Genuine strength", on the other hand, refers to true, unblemished power or resilience.

What can I say instead of "a strong facade" to imply deception?

If you want to emphasize the deceptive nature of the appearance, consider using alternatives like "a convincing semblance", "a sturdy veneer", or "imposing exterior".

Is it always negative to describe something as having "a strong facade"?

Generally, yes. Describing something as having "a strong facade" usually carries a negative connotation, suggesting that the outward appearance is misleading or that something is not as robust as it seems. However, depending on the context, it can also simply be an observation without explicit judgment.