Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

cloak

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of cloak

1 something that covers or conceals like a piece of cloth

  • the cloak of mystery that surrounds the royal family
Synonyms of cloak

blanket, cope, cover, covering, coverture, cover-up, curtain, hood, mantle, mask, pall, penumbra, robe, shroud, veil, wraps
Words Related to cloak

blind, concealer, screen, shield

fig leaf, Potemkin village, Trojan horse

camouflage, disguise, facade (also façade), face, mask, veneer

gloss, varnish

2 a sleeveless garment worn so as to hang over the shoulders, arms, and back

  • threw a cloak around his shoulders
Synonyms of cloak

cape, capote, frock, manteau, mantle
Words Related to cloak

burnoose (or burnous), capelet, capuchin, cowl, domino, joseph, manta, mantelet, mantilla, palatine, pelerine, pelisse, poncho, roquelaure, tippet

serape (or sarape), shawl, stole, wrap

cloak

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of cloak

1 to change the dress or looks of so as to conceal true identity

  • the outlaw nation had cloaked its chemical weapons plant as a fertilizer factory
Synonyms of cloak

camouflage, disguise, dress up, mask
Words Related to cloak

blanket, blot out, conceal, cover, curtain, enshroud, hide, obscure, occult, screen, shroud, veil

affect, assume, counterfeit, dissemble, dissimulate, feign, pose, pretend, sham, simulate

act, fake, impersonate, masquerade, play

cosmeticize, gild, gloss (over), varnish, whitewash
Near Antonyms of cloak

display, exhibit, expose, flaunt, parade, show, uncloak, unclothe, uncover, undrape, unveil

bare, betray, disclose, discover, divulge, expose, reveal
Antonyms of cloak

unmask

2 to keep secret or shut off from view

  • cloaked their military maneuvers from the outside world
Synonyms of cloak

belie, blanket, blot out, conceal, cover, curtain, disguise, enshroud, hide, mask, obscure, occult, paper over, screen, shroud, suppress, veil
Words Related to cloak

bury, camouflage, cover (up), smother

gild, gloss (over), varnish, whitewash

becloud, bedim, befog, block, cloud, darken, eclipse, obstruct, occlude, overcast, overshadow, shade
Near Antonyms of cloak

bring out, present

clarify, illuminate

advertise, air, broadcast, get out, proclaim, publicize, publish, spread
Antonyms of cloak

bare, disclose, display, divulge, expose, reveal, show, uncloak, uncover, unmask, unveil

Synonym Discussion of cloak

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

Learn More about cloak

  1. See words that rhyme with cloak Dictionary: Definition of cloak Spanish Central: Translation of cloak Nglish: Translation of cloak for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of cloak for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up cloak? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games