Superficial appearance is a term used to describe the outward appearance of something, which may not accurately reflect its true nature. The two crossword solutions for this term are 'VENEER' and 'FACADE'. VENEER is a thin layer of material applied to the surface of an object to give it a more attractive appearance. FACADE is an outward appearance that is maintained to conceal a less pleasant or creditable reality. Both terms refer to the idea of presenting something in a way that is not necessarily reflective of its true nature.