mask 1 of 2

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
Hawke returns too, grumbling and growling behind a rubber mask (and, eventually, some grisly prosthetics). Katie Rife, IndieWire, 21 Sep. 2025 With the help of her best friend Tatum (Rose McGowan), boyfriend Billy (Skeet Ulrich), and cine-literate nerds Randy (Jamie Kennedy) and Stu (Matthew Lillard), Sidney sets out to determine who’s behind the mask. Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Sep. 2025
Verb
As an alliance grew between senators and financial powers, public figures began profiting from real-estate speculation, slave trading, and overseas plunder—while masking their involvement. Zephyr Teachout, The Atlantic, 22 Sep. 2025 Nishijima brings his characteristic intensity to Kenji, a man whose academic arrogance masks deep insecurity and desperation. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 22 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mask
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mask
Noun
  • This spotlight on the art and craft of visual effects explores how VFX teams work in close collaboration with directors, producers, and heads of department – across costume, production design, cinematography, stunts, and performance – to bring stories to life.
    Zac Ntim, Deadline, 22 Sep. 2025
  • Jennifer Brawn Gittings designed costumes, Carolina Ortiz Herrera designed lighting and UptownWorks designed sound and composition.
    Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • My 8-year-old big sister, Lisa, clothed in her first communion dress and veil, her treasured rosary draped in her hands, lay motionless and cold amid the white silken lining, her head upon a white satin pillow.
    Patti Newton, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Sep. 2025
  • The ceiling is inspired by shed structures derived from industrial architecture and veils hide the hangers along the walls, emphasizing the sense of lightness with garments that seem to float.
    Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 19 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Online anti-Palestinian accounts disguise a relentless and vicious campaign to intimidate people into silence by falsely portraying them as racists, and sanction them by proxy by pressuring employers for swift termination.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2025
  • When clicked, the ads lead to GitHub pages that install versions of Atomic that are disguised as the official software being falsely advertised.
    Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 22 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Language’s ability both to reveal and to conceal is at the heart of this engrossing history of medieval encoded and encrypted manuscripts.
    The New Yorker, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
  • Mauthe is now facing one count of criminal homicide, one count of involuntary manslaughter, four counts of concealing the death of a child and four counts of abuse of a corpse, CBS News reported, citing state police.
    Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 20 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • But they are hidden beneath the cloak of BMEZ!
    Brett Owens, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
  • In addition to the Jesus tower, another would be dedicated to Mary, with bluish granite ornaments meant to evoke her iconic cloak; there would also be spires for each of the four Evangelists and the twelve apostles.
    D. T. Max, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Defense camouflaging more blemishes than Revlon.
    Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 7 Sep. 2025
  • All these possibilities can camouflage fences in the background.
    Neil Sperry, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Fairfax County Public Schools has been accused of hiding the allegations.
    Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 24 Sep. 2025
  • Water, despite its familiarity, still hides phases and behaviors waiting to be uncovered.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 23 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Others stood and prayed around a group of five bodies in shrouds, including three tiny children.
    Reuters, NBC news, 2 Sep. 2025
  • Moraes developed computer models to simulate draping a sheet on both a 3D human form and a bas-relief carving to test which version most closely matched the figure preserved in the shroud.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 31 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Mask.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mask. Accessed 25 Sep. 2025.

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