mask 1 of 2

Definition of masknext
1
as in costume
a cover or partial cover for the face used to disguise oneself an elaborate mask that would be suitable for a fancy masquerade ball

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2

mask

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb mask differ from other similar words?

The words cloak and disguise are common synonyms of mask. While all three words mean "to alter the dress or appearance of so as to conceal the identity or true nature," mask suggests some often obvious means of hiding or disguising something.

smiling to mask his discontent

When is cloak a more appropriate choice than mask?

Although the words cloak and mask have much in common, cloak suggests a means of hiding a movement or an intention.

cloaked their maneuvers in secrecy

When can disguise be used instead of mask?

The words disguise and mask can be used in similar contexts, but disguise implies a change in appearance or behavior that misleads by presenting a different apparent identity.

disguised herself as a peasant

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of mask
Noun
The method of nitrogen hypoxia requires prisoners to breathe in the gas through an industrial-grade mask while strapped to a gurney and being deprived of oxygen. Abigail Brooks, NBC news, 12 June 2026 It's owned by Medline, a major medical-surgical products provider of equipment such as latex gloves, masks, surgical instruments and other medical supplies. ABC News, 12 June 2026
Verb
The health care provider would then diagnose a player with Parkinson’s and, usually, issue a prescription for levodopa, a medicine that treats Parkinson’s by masking or suppressing symptoms. Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 10 June 2026 For months this year, congressional Democrats refused to fully fund ICE and Border Patrol unless the administration agreed to make certain reforms, such as prohibiting agents from masking up during operations. Camilo Montoya-Galvez, CBS News, 10 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for mask
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mask
Noun
  • In London, the show is led by Arti Shah, who is performing inside the bear costume and James Hameed, who provides the bear’s voice and controls its facial expressions.
    Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 16 June 2026
  • The costumes are more fantastical than grittily realistic as well, with a hip Steampunk vibe that’s more fashionable than purely Victorian.
    Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 16 June 2026
Noun
  • The mayor’s credit card use was not wrapped in a veil of silence.
    Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 13 June 2026
  • Harriet was a storybook bride in the two striking shots, which captured her standing in her Emilia Wickstead lace dress with a flowing veil on her special day.
    Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 12 June 2026
Verb
  • For a Black man to reinforce those same stereotypes, while disguising them as objective commentary, is even more damaging.
    Brielle Miller, Baltimore Sun, 16 June 2026
  • Investigators determined John Parker Roe derived a substantial portion of his income (over 50%) from the organization and that Collins used her business, Lume Lume Lume, to conceal funds disguised as consulting or wellness services.
    Christa Swanson, CBS News, 14 June 2026
Verb
  • She was found under the bed, wrapped in a blanket and concealed by life vests.
    Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 16 June 2026
  • My dream foundation is one that conceals blemishes but is so imperceptible that people will ask me about my skin care routine.
    Kaelin Dodge, InStyle, 16 June 2026
Noun
  • Throughout history, kings, queens and other members of the royal family have donned luxurious fur stoles, floor-length fur coats, capes with mink trims and cloaks with ermine edges (that's weasel fur).
    Jennifer Hassan, USA Today, 14 June 2026
  • There are also some genuinely suspenseful beats amid the more outrageous flourishes, which include the killer concealing a chainsaw under their cloak and a karate instructor blaming a violent assault on having ingested bad chop suey.
    Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 9 June 2026
Verb
  • Visitors emerge on a hillside above the shoreline, camouflaged by coastal vegetation.
    Pavlo Fedykovych, CNN Money, 12 June 2026
  • Olivia Rodrigo knows the true magic of New York City lies in the way its pace camouflages public crash outs.
    Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 12 June 2026
Verb
  • This automatically measures the distance between the edges of the folding panels, uses sensors to detect offsets and recalibrates the brightness of adjacent LEDs to hide the tiny slot.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 13 June 2026
  • Achieving it in reality would be brutally hard because the target moves, hides, jams, uses decoys, and fights back.
    Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 13 June 2026
Noun
  • Also indicative of a dense shroud of gas were signs of fluorescence and helium-absorbing radiation.
    Robert Lea, Space.com, 10 June 2026
  • His early, anonymous SoundCloud drops were hushed and hesitant, a shroud of tape hiss and white noise between himself and true self-examination.
    Dash Lewis, Pitchfork, 10 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Mask.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mask. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.

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