1
as in dress
clothing chosen as appropriate for a specific situation
a tuxedo is the only acceptable costume for men attending a formal event
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in mask
clothing put on to hide one's true identity or imitate someone or something else
Halloween costumes that caricature some of the "celebrities" created by the media over the past year
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in to dress
to outfit with clothes and especially fine or special clothes
the days when people, costumed in their Sunday best, would parade along the grand avenue on Easter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in costumey
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of costume
Lara Walsh, InStyle, 6 Apr. 2026
Noem seemed to relish cruelty, and treated her job like a costume party, constantly mugging for cameras with guns and faux toughness as if the dismantling of lives and imprisoning even children was a game.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2026
Kendall Morgan, Dallas Morning News, 19 Feb. 2026
In the costuming department, the show utilized more than 1,000 yards of fabric and 1/2 mile of fringe with 90 types of fabrics represented.
—Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
Jake Kanter, Deadline, 29 Jan. 2026
The theme this year is costume art.
—Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for costume
Noun
In a photo dump posted on Easter Sunday, Channing gave fans a rare glimpse of a father-daughter outing with Everly at a Renaissance Fair, complete with period-appropriate costumes.
—Lara Walsh, InStyle, 6 Apr. 2026
Noem seemed to relish cruelty, and treated her job like a costume party, constantly mugging for cameras with guns and faux toughness as if the dismantling of lives and imprisoning even children was a game.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2026
Verb
Devoted to wildly divergent pop culture moments, two of the Arlington Museum of Art’s exhibitions share a surprising thread — the intricacy and imagination of costuming.
—Kendall Morgan, Dallas Morning News, 19 Feb. 2026
In the costuming department, the show utilized more than 1,000 yards of fabric and 1/2 mile of fringe with 90 types of fabrics represented.
—Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
Saviour follows Ben, played by Archie Fisher (Death by Lightning), who, after borrowing his dad’s police uniform for a costume party, gets into an altercation that results in a man’s death.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 29 Jan. 2026
The theme this year is costume art.
—Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for costume
Recent Examples of Synonyms for costume
Noun
-
She was described as being in her early 20s to late 30s, 5-feet-4, 135 pounds and was wearing a multi-colored short dress with a gray sweater and a bracelet of black and yellow rubber with two keys.—
Angie DiMichele,
Sun Sentinel,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Sweeney, wearing a white archival Pierre Cardin dress, also made her way to her own seat, joining her current beau, Scooter Braun, and greeting him with a quick kiss.—
Rebecca Ford,
Vanity Fair,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Women are being confronted by lotions and serums and light masks that promise to rejuvenate their faces and necks, dietary supplements claiming to do everything from boost moods to ease hot flashes and gadgets promising to help with symptoms.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Šilovs also allowed a goal in the first period that clanged off his mask before somehow going between his legs.—
Josh Yohe,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Or shouted down a guest speaker with different opinions while clad in Crocs and a hoodie?—
Zach Przystup,
Baltimore Sun,
4 Apr. 2026
-
In the intimate snapshot, Steinfeld, clad in a bump-baring striped shirt and sweat shorts, peers at Allen over her mug.—
Hannah Malach,
InStyle,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The white trim along the front buttons and sleeve hems gives it a vintage feel without being costumey.—
Lane Nieset,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Speaking of styling tricks to steal, the foppish ties that almost looked like silk scarves or ribbons at the Yohji Yamamoto show would be a good alternative for women who want some kind of necktie but think a traditional men’s tie reads too costumey.—
Marisa Meltzer,
Vanity Fair,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Leaf mimicry is an especially clever form of camouflage.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The observed activity could instead reflect internal neural processes, such as refinement of camouflage abilities.—
Samantha Agate,
Miami Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Matter—slim, dark-haired, attired in a dark blue zip-up sweater and matinee idol handsome—is a natural entertainer who savored every moment holding a mic.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
29 Mar. 2026
-
They were identically attired, in a dark suit and dark glasses.—
Alexandra Petri,
The Atlantic,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The rich Italian leather exterior offers a polished touch to both casual and dressy outfits.—
Rachel Trujillo,
PEOPLE,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Evening bags, wraps, dressy shoes, and costume jewelry can complete a look, and are something many recipients may not otherwise have access to.—
Jamie Cuccinelli,
Martha Stewart,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Visitors come to the former silver-mining town for its renowned baths, strolling the pedestrian-only city center in yukata (a summer kimono) garb.—
Zoe Baillargeon,
Travel + Leisure,
1 Apr. 2026
-
As Meraj worked, a young man dressed in legal garb (black suit, white shirt) approached and ordered tea.—
Nathan Heller,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Costume.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/costume. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
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