Cosmetic

Meaning

Affecting only outward appearance, not substance; superficial rather than genuine

Origin / Etymology

Greek kosmetikos, skilled in adornment, from kosmos (order, adornment)

Synonyms

Superficial Surface Token Nominal

Antonyms

Substantive Fundamental Genuine Structural

Example Sentence

"Without an official taxonomy, the door stays open to cosmetic environmental claims that crowd out genuinely green projects, a practice known as greenwashing."

🎯 UPSC Usage

Sharp for GS2 and GS3 critiques. Use to argue that a reform or claim is cosmetic, that is, it changes appearance without addressing the underlying problem, for example, cosmetic compliance, cosmetic reform, or cosmetic environmental claims (greenwashing).

Relevant Subjects