What is another word for potemkin?
Pronunciation: [pˈə͡ʊtmkɪn] (IPA) 
The word "Potemkin" is commonly used to describe something that is merely a façade or an illusion. It originates from a Russian politician, Grigory Potemkin, who allegedly created fake villages to impress Empress Catherine II during her tour of the Crimea in 1787. Synonyms for Potemkin include sham, pretense, facade, veneer, charade, show, disguise, simulation, masquerade, and subterfuge. All these words represent something that is not what it appears to be. Using Potemkin and its synonyms in writing can add depth and nuance to descriptions and help readers to understand the true nature of something that might otherwise seem impressive but is, in fact, a mere shadow of the truth.
