unmask

verb

un·​mask ˌən-ˈmask 

unmasked; unmasking; unmasks

transitive verb

1

: to reveal the true nature of : expose

She was unmasked as a spy.

2

: to remove a mask from

intransitive verb

: to remove one's mask

Synonyms of unmask

• reveal
• disclose
• discover
• uncover
• expose
• tell

Examples of unmask in a Sentence

He was unmasked as a spy.

the killer's identity won't be unmasked until the season's final episode

Recent Examples on the Web

Queries run, communications collected, identities unmasked, content delivered to the White House NSC. —Patrick Eddington, Oc Register, 15 Apr. 2026

Satoshi Nakamoto, the pseudonymous creator of bitcoin, has — maybe — been unmasked. —Holly J. Morris, NPR, 10 Apr. 2026

However, after Nicky and Morgan return to New Jersey after the Miami debacle, they’re kidnapped and brought to Ivan’s home, where Yusuf unmasks and reveals himself. —Francesca Gariano, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026

The quest to unmask Satoshi Nakamoto, the pseudonymous inventor of Bitcoin, has been going on for more than a decade now, and resulted in some embarrassing misfires. —Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 8 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1562, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Rhymes for unmask

• subtask
• ask
• bask
• basque
• cask
• casque
• flask
• mask
• masque
• pasch
• task

Kids Definition

unmask

verb

un·​mask ˌən-ˈmask 

ˈən-

: to strip of a mask or a disguise : expose

unmask a traitor