disguise

verb

dis·guise | \də-ˈskīz,

dis-ˈgīz also diz-\

disguised; disguising

Definition of disguise

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : to change the customary dress (see dress entry 2 sense 1) or appearance of disguised herself in a wig and glasses

b : to furnish with a false appearance or an assumed (see assume sense 3) identity disguised as a beggar

2 obsolete : disfigure

3 : to obscure the existence or true state or character of : conceal unable to disguise his true feelings

disguise

noun

Definition of disguise (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : apparel assumed to conceal one's identity or counterfeit another's The bank robber was wearing a disguise.

2 : the act of disguising

3a : form misrepresenting the true nature of something blessings in disguise

b : an artificial manner : pretense threw off all disguise

Other Words from disguise Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about disguise

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Other Words from disguise

Verb

disguisedly \-ˈgīz(-ə)d-lē,

-ˈkīz(-ə)d- \ adverb

disguisement \-ˈgīz-mənt,

-ˈkīz- \ noun

disguiser noun

Choose the Right Synonym for disguise

Verb

disguise, cloak, mask 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 cloak suggests a means of hiding a movement or an intention. cloaked their maneuvers in secrecy mask suggests some often obvious means of hiding or disguising something. smiling to mask his discontent

Examples of disguise in a Sentence

Verb

He tried to disguise his voice on the phone but I could tell it was him. She disguised herself in a wig and glasses. We disguised the fact that we were disappointed.

Noun

He wore a disguise of glasses, a fake mustache, and a cap. The famous thief is known to be a master of disguise.

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Soldiers accustomed to operating from large, secure bases in Iraq and Afghanistan now practice disguising their positions with camouflage netting. — Eric Schmitt, New York Times, "In Eastern Europe, U.S. Military Girds Against Russian Might and Manipulation," 27 June 2018 Their lack of interest in disguising these claims to complete presidential immunity from the law is a chilling indicator of where the crisis is headed. — Jonathan Chait, Daily Intelligencer, "The Rule of Law Is Crumbling Further Each Day Under Trump," 10 June 2018 Two men disguised as Walmart employees attempted to steal several thousand dollars worth of merchandise from a metro Atlanta store, according to Peachtree City police. — Campbell Lutz, ajc, "Men dressed as Walmart employees try to steal from metro Atlanta store," 7 July 2018 During a June 21 day game at Yankee Stadium, Ichiro appeared briefly on the bench disguised in a bushy mustache, sunglasses and a hoodie. — David Waldstein, New York Times, "Ichiro Suzuki’s New Job Comes With Most of the Old Trappings," 5 July 2018 The administration also worries that CFIUS misses small investments—sometimes disguised—by Chinese in venture-capital firms in technologies that can bear fruit years later, according to people familiar with the deliberations. — Bob Davis, WSJ, "Trump Plans New Curbs on Chinese Investment, Tech Exports to China," 24 June 2018 In one drill, a participant disguised as a terrorist is wearing a protective suit, because of supposed chemical weapons on board. — Carter Evans, CBS News, "Elite Coast Guard team training for potential chemical weapons attacks," 14 June 2018 But this gathering, made up of police patrolmen and photographers, disguised a ghastly but all to common fact of daily life in El Salvador -- the murder of a young woman. — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, "Gangs in El Salvador are using women's bodies for 'revenge and control'," 14 June 2018 Then doctors reintroduce gluten or a placebo—ideally disguised in indistinguishable pills or snacks—to see whether the symptoms tick back up. — Kelly Servick, Science | AAAS, "What’s really behind ‘gluten sensitivity’?," 23 May 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Shakespeare’s romantic comedy starring twins separated by shipwreck and disguise is set in 1920s Cuba in this Portland State University production. — Amy Wang | The Oregonian/oregonlive, OregonLive.com, "'Sound of Music,' 'Point Break Live, 'Twelfth Night,' more arts picks," 1 Mar. 2018 Tammy Bruce: California's new water rationing law is a tax in disguise, complete with fines. — Fox News, "FOX NEWS FIRST: IG report could be day of reckoning; 'War games' to be cancelled after Trump-Kim summit," 14 June 2018 The cinematic video is full of glamorous costumes and disguises, and T. Swift gives off major Joan Holloway vibes by donning a red wig for the vixen role. — Shanté Honeycutt, Billboard, "Sugarland & Taylor Swift's Glamorous 'Babe' Video Depicts a Retro Love Triangle," 9 June 2018 At the meeting, Hernandez allegedly distributed materials to be used during the firebombing, including disguises, gloves and other materials. — City News Service, latimes.com, "Two gang members plead guilty to Boyle Heights firebombings," 31 May 2018 On Monday, Gerardot took a train from Delaware to Chapman's new home in a tranquil residential neighborhood in Radnor, Pennsylvania, possibly wearing a wig in disguise, Radnor Township Police Lt. — Samantha Schmidt, chicagotribune.com, "Affair leads to murder-suicide in quiet Pennsylvania town, leaving two women dead: police," 25 Apr. 2018 The white shirt wasn’t a disguise, exactly, but an attempt to appear unremarkable that was ultimately remarkable. — Rory Satran, WSJ, "How to Get Carolyn Bessette Kennedy’s Radically Simple Style," 11 Apr. 2018 These men and women (and even children) survive on the open road by wearing flesh suits as disguises, blending in with and walking among the dead. — Josh Wigler, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Walking Dead' Season 8 Finale: 7 Predictions for the End of "All-Out War"," 9 Apr. 2018 Neil Patrick Harris couldn’t be more in his element as the preening and venomous Count Olaf, who, with pantomime and eye-rolling disguises, torments the three Baudelaire orphans. — Andrew R. Chow, New York Times, "What’s on TV Friday: ‘A Series of Unfortunate Events’ and the N.C.A.A. Women’s Final Four," 30 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'disguise.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.