The term "gave appearance of" suggests the act of making something seem a certain way. The antonyms of this phrase could include words such as revealed, exposed, dissipated, or clarified, which all connote a sense of clarity and straightforwardness. Rather than hiding or masking the truth, these words imply that the reality of the situation is easily understood, leaving no room for misinterpretation or doubt. Additionally, words such as disguised, masked, veiled, or concealed could also serve as antonyms, conveying a sense of hiddenness or deception. Ultimately, the choice of antonym will depend on the context in which the original phrase is used and the desired effect the writer wishes to achieve.