cloak 1 of 2

cloak

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb cloak differ from other similar words?

The words disguise and mask are common synonyms of cloak. While all three words mean "to alter the dress or appearance of so as to conceal the identity or true nature," cloak suggests a means of hiding a movement or an intention.

cloaked their maneuvers in secrecy

When is it sensible to use disguise instead of cloak?

While the synonyms disguise and cloak are close in meaning, disguise implies a change in appearance or behavior that misleads by presenting a different apparent identity.

disguised herself as a peasant

When is mask a more appropriate choice than cloak?

In some situations, the words mask and cloak are roughly equivalent. However, mask suggests some often obvious means of hiding or disguising something.

smiling to mask his discontent

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 cloak
Noun
Louise Donegan, my wife, [has] been working on my look for a couple of years, like the cloak thing. Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2025 Soren Olafsen, with his bright green cloak over his shoulders and his bright eyes flashing, prepared for battle. Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 28 Sep. 2025
Verb
Krasznahorkai eventually found a global cult audience, who recognized his distinct ability to cloak anomie, violence, and resignation, smudged with a kind of gutter comedy, within a labyrinthine syntax. Walt Hunter, The Atlantic, 9 Oct. 2025 The five blades are cloaked in aloe soap for a close, soothing shave, and the handle comes with a magnetic mount that fends off icky rust and sticks to the shower wall for easy access. Annie Blackman, Allure, 9 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cloak
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cloak
Noun
  • The veil is thin, the air electric and your intuition is sharp.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
  • The women are pictured with, or without, veils and against the backdrop of Baroque and modern churches.
    Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 31 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The heiress and entrepreneur has a princess moment in a romantic pale pink gown with floral appliqués and a matching cape.
    Brittany Talarico, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2025
  • Angel Reese shows us that a black sequin mini can never go wrong, finishing the look with a dramatic cape moment.
    Larry Stansbury, Essence, 4 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • At great risk, Hamida disguises herself as a khes (a thick cotton cloth) seller and enters the house to plan with Lajo an escape route.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 30 Oct. 2025
  • As a result, many civil servants are wary of serving baijiu at government functions; others are skirting the rule by disguising the clear liquor as water.
    Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Most settlements include confidentiality clauses that not only conceal the settlement figure, but also bar anyone involved from publicly discussing it.
    Victoria Bekiempis, Rolling Stone, 3 Nov. 2025
  • What, then, would West have made of Nat’s body, even concealed under a halter top?
    James Marcus, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Moments later, Red Cross officials arrive on the scene as the shroud containing the body is pulled from the dirt.
    Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 28 Oct. 2025
  • The 54 unidentified bodies were laid carefully in a long line of white shrouds as Palestinians gathered around the grave site.
    Chantal Da Silva, NBC news, 25 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The Squad-style socialism that once seemed relatively confined to college campuses and activist social media feeds will claim the mantle of America's most powerful city.
    MSNBC Newsweek, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Raped with a statue of Jesus plucked from a mantle.
    Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Having help on both sides has helped his performance, though the move has masked some of his technical deficiencies and overall rawness as a player.
    Daniel Popper, New York Times, 5 Nov. 2025
  • And the foundation appears to be lying to publishers about this—as well as masking the actual contents of its archives.
    Alex Reisner, The Atlantic, 4 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • But this book gave me nowhere to hide.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
  • The logistics of coordinating international travel, visas, and hotel accommodations for a secret guest are far more complex than hiding someone domestically.
    Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025

Cite this Entry

“Cloak.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cloak. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.

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