DISGUISE Synonyms: 155 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'disguise' differ from other similar words?

The words cloak and mask are common synonyms of disguise . While all three words mean "to alter the dress or appearance of so as to conceal the identity or true nature," disguise implies a change in appearance or behavior that misleads by presenting a different apparent identity. // disguised herself as a peasant

Q: When is 'cloak' a more appropriate choice than 'disguise'?

The words cloak and disguise are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, cloak suggests a means of hiding a movement or an intention. // cloaked their maneuvers in secrecy

Q: When might 'mask' be a better fit than 'disguise'?

The synonyms mask and disguise are sometimes interchangeable, but mask suggests some often obvious means of hiding or disguising something. // smiling to mask his discontent

disguise 1 of 2

noun

Definition of disguise next

as in costume

clothing put on to hide one's true identity or imitate someone or something else Mardi Gras revelers dressed in a colorful array of outlandish disguises

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as in guise

a display of emotion or behavior that is insincere or intended to deceive somehow, he managed to put on a disguise of happiness as he watched his secret crush marry someone else

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

disguise

2 of 2

verb

də-ˈskīz

as in to camouflage

to change the dress or looks of so as to conceal true identity the spies disguised themselves as harmless tourists

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to conceal

to keep secret or shut off from view that investigative reporter usually does a good job of disguising her true motives for interviewing a person

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How does the verb disguise differ from other similar words?

The words cloak and mask are common synonyms of disguise. While all three words mean "to alter the dress or appearance of so as to conceal the identity or true nature," disguise implies a change in appearance or behavior that misleads by presenting a different apparent identity.

disguised herself as a peasant

When is cloak a more appropriate choice than disguise?

The words cloak and disguise are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, cloak suggests a means of hiding a movement or an intention.

cloaked their maneuvers in secrecy

When might mask be a better fit than disguise?

The synonyms mask and disguise are sometimes interchangeable, but mask suggests some often obvious means of hiding or disguising something.

smiling to mask his discontent

Examples of disguise in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The first-look teaser debuted during the 2024 Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony on NBC and Peacock on Friday night, showing Redmayne’s highly-skilled character in front of a sniper rifle and peeling elaborate disguises from his body. —

Lily Ford, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019 Cops also recovered building surveillance video that showed Johnson repeatedly leaving Small’s apartment lugging out bags and wearing different disguises including a blond woman’s wig with a down puffer, a newsboy cap and blazer and a boonie hat and beige jacket. —

Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 8 Mar. 2024

Verb

Defensively, players can now disguise coverages as the developers removed base alignment. —

Gieson Cacho, The Mercury News, 29 July 2024 In order to convince the great elven smith Celebrimbor (Charles Edwards) to forge the titular rings of power with him, Sauron disguises himself as an elf-like mystic. —

Christian Holub, EW.com, 27 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for disguise

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'disguise.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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“Disguise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disguise. Accessed 16 Sep. 2024.

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Last Updated: 7 Sep 2024 - Updated example sentences

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Synonyms of disguise

noun

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