mas·quer·ade
ˌma-skə-ˈrād 
1
a
: a social gathering of persons wearing masks and often fantastic costumes
b
: a costume for wear at such a gathering
2
: an action or appearance that is mere disguise or show
masqueraded; masquerading
1
a
: to disguise oneself
also
: to go about disguised
b
: to take part in a masquerade
2
: to assume the appearance of something one is not
masquerader
noun
Synonyms of masquerade
Examples of masquerade in a Sentence
Noun
She could not keep up the masquerade any longer.
although she was deeply bored, she maintained a masquerade of polite interest as her guest droned on
Verb
He was masquerading under a false name.
Recent Examples on the Web
Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 3 Nov. 2025
Other handbags in the collection masquerade as decadent desserts, including two-tier pastel cake with iced crystals and a Champagne bottle party bag, also modeled by Ratajakowski.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 31 Oct. 2025
Sara Holdren, Vulture, 17 Dec. 2025
These should favor an open and secure global commons, economic arrangements that foster opportunity at home and abroad, and sovereignty—which coercive spheres of influence (masquerading as a multipolar world) profoundly threaten but which alliances enhance for all.
—Stephen Kotkin, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for masquerade
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Noun
Night 2 of Jeezy’s residency had a masquerade theme, with the star and his sprawling band of classical musicians — comprised of members of The Color of Noize Orchestra — performing a program of original music composed by Derrick Hodge with musical direction from Adam Blackstone.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 3 Nov. 2025
Other handbags in the collection masquerade as decadent desserts, including two-tier pastel cake with iced crystals and a Champagne bottle party bag, also modeled by Ratajakowski.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
In a grimy gray wig and sober black suit that subtly but pointedly leaps a century forward from the play’s origins to recall the Founding Fathers, Matthew Broderick’s Tartuffe speaks like the grandpa next door and pads across the stage with furtive footsteps, a monster masquerading as a mouse.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 17 Dec. 2025
These should favor an open and secure global commons, economic arrangements that foster opportunity at home and abroad, and sovereignty—which coercive spheres of influence (masquerading as a multipolar world) profoundly threaten but which alliances enhance for all.
—Stephen Kotkin, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for masquerade
Cite this Entry
“Masquerade.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/masquerade. Accessed 20 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
masquerade
1 of 2 noun
mas·quer·ade
ˌmas-kə-ˈrād
1
: a party (as a dance) at which people wear masks and often fantastic costumes
2
: an action or appearance that is only a disguise or outward show : pose
masquerade
2 of 2 verb
masqueraded; masquerading
1
: to take part in a masquerade
2
: to assume the appearance of something one is not : pose
masquerader
noun
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