facade of respectability

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "facade of respectability" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a superficial appearance of being respectable or moral, often hiding true intentions or behaviors. Example: "Despite the facade of respectability that he maintained, his actions revealed a much darker side."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Yet now, even in states such as Gujarat, cracks in the facade of respectability are becoming more apparent.

The Guardian - Opinion

Among the comments is this one, posted in January: "Theriot, just another Jefferson Parish politician thug mobster trained by his mentor John Alario, dressed up in a facade of respectability by a corrupt Louisiana Legislature".

The New York Times

Now the facade of respectability at football's world governing body, with its motto For the Good of the Game and its power to award a host country the greatest sporting event on earth, has utterly cracked, on the cusp of an election for a new president.

The Guardian - Sport

By this time, we had to order food to maintain the facade of respectability necessary to order several more L.I.T.s.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Inside their pretty clapboard house, the film's American monsters maintain a ghastly facade of nuclear respectability.

The Guardian - Film

The play offers a flow of insights into marriage, money, morals and, most especially, a society that maintains a facade of hypocritical respectability.

The Guardian

PiS's veneer of respectability is probably tarnished for good.

The Economist

A medical degree is a universal badge of respectability.

The Economist

In agrarian societies the elderly have a status of respectability.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The car became a common badge of respectability.

Independent

These days, the show has won an air of respectability.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "facade of respectability" to critically highlight situations where outward appearances belie questionable or unethical practices, especially in institutional contexts or when describing public figures.

Common error

Avoid using "facade of respectability" in contexts where genuine respectability is intended. This phrase implies deception, so ensure the context supports that implication. It is usually better to use words like "aspect", "feature" or "characteristic" when you aren't trying to denote any hypocrisy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "facade of respectability" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as a subject complement or an object in a sentence. It describes something that outwardly appears respectable but hides a different reality. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "facade of respectability" is a noun phrase used to describe a deceptive outward appearance of being respectable or moral. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While relatively rare in occurrence, this phrase is most often found in news and media contexts, serving to critique or expose hypocrisy. Related phrases include "veneer of respectability" and "mask of respectability". When using "facade of respectability", ensure the context supports the implication of deception and avoid using it in neutral or genuinely respectable contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

veneer of respectability

Replaces "facade" with "veneer", implying a thin, deceptive outer layer.

mask of respectability

Substitutes "facade" with "mask", emphasizing the concealment aspect.

false front of respectability

Adds "false front" to emphasize the deceptive nature of the appearance.

guise of respectability

Replaces "facade" with "guise", highlighting the deceptive appearance.

pretense of respectability

Uses "pretense" instead of "facade", focusing on the insincere nature of the appearance.

semblance of respectability

Replaces "facade" with "semblance", suggesting a mere imitation of respectability.

image of respectability

Focuses on the crafted "image", rather than the structure of the deception.

show of respectability

Substitutes "facade" with "show", highlighting the performative aspect.

air of respectability

Shifts from a physical "facade" to an intangible "air", suggesting an atmosphere of respectability.

outward respectability

Focuses on the external display of respectability without mentioning the internal deception.

FAQs

What does "facade of respectability" mean?

The phrase "facade of respectability" refers to an outward appearance or illusion of being respectable, moral, or ethical, which often hides a less savory or even corrupt reality. It suggests a deliberate attempt to create a positive impression that does not align with the true nature of the person or organization.

How can I use "facade of respectability" in a sentence?

You might say, "The company maintained a "facade of respectability", but investigations revealed widespread fraud beneath the surface", or "The politician's "facade of respectability" crumbled as details of his personal life emerged".

What are some alternatives to "facade of respectability"?

You can use alternatives like "veneer of respectability", "mask of respectability", or "guise of respectability" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "facade of respectability"?

It is appropriate when you want to highlight the hypocrisy or deceptive nature of someone or something that outwardly appears respectable. It's important to have evidence or strong indications that the outward appearance is misleading.