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janus-faced

/ˈdʒeɪ.nəs ˌfeɪst/

1 entry

adjective

/ˈdʒeɪ.nəs ˌfeɪst/C2formal
  • ruОписывает кого-то или что-то двуличное, лживое или лицемерное; имеющее контрастные аспекты, особенно приятную и неприятную сторону.

Describes someone or something that is two-faced, deceitful, or hypocritical; having contrasting aspects, especially a pleasant and an unpleasant side.

  1. Having contrasting aspectsC2formal

    Characterized by or concerned with opposing or contrasting qualities, such as good and evil, past and future, or two different sides of a situation.

    ruДвуликий

    • The politician's Janus-faced policy tried to appeal to both environmentalists and industrialists.
    • The novel presents a Janus-faced view of the city, showing both its beauty and its decay.
    • His Janus-faced argument considered both the benefits and the drawbacks of the new law.

    Synonymsambivalentbipolarcontradictorydichotomousdouble-faceddualparadoxicalsplittwo-facedtwo-sided

  2. Deceptive or two-facedC2formal

    Marked by deliberate deception, especially by pretending to have one set of feelings or intentions while acting under the influence of another.

    ruДвуличный

    • She discovered her Janus-faced friend had been spreading rumors behind her back.
    • The company's Janus-faced marketing promised quality while using cheap materials.
    • His Janus-faced behavior at work—praising his boss while secretly applying for other jobs—was eventually exposed.

    Synonymsdeceitfuldishonestdouble-dealingduplicitousfalsehypocriticalinsincereperfidioustreacheroustwo-faced

    Antonymscandidgenuinehonestopensincerestraightforwardtruthful

  3. Looking both waysC2formal

    Having two faces, one looking to the future and one to the past, symbolizing the ability to consider both past and future simultaneously.

    ruДвуликий

    • The Janus-faced statue at the museum represents the transition from the old year to the new.
    • In his speech, the historian took a Janus-faced approach, reflecting on past mistakes while planning for future successes.
    • The project was Janus-faced, drawing lessons from previous failures while innovating for tomorrow.

    Synonymsbifacialdouble-facedtwo-faced

Forms
  • more janus-faced comparative form
  • most janus-faced superlative form