Confronts about this time with deceptive outward appearances (7)

I believe the answer is:

facades

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'deceptive outward appearances' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are plural nouns, I cannot understand how they can define each other.

'confronts about this time' is the wordplay.
'confronts' becomes 'faces' ('face' can be a synonym of 'confront').
'about' is an insertion indicator.
'this time' becomes 'AD' (AD, Anno Domini, as opposed to BC, Before Christ).
'faces' enclosing 'ad' is 'FACADES'.

'with' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for facades that I've seen is " Fronts of buildings".)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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