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
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of costume
Sam Reed, Glamour, 16 Mar. 2026
The performance includes the mesmerizing skills of fire poi dancers plus graceful choreography performed Polynesian dancers wearing traditional costumes.
—Ben Davidson, Mercury News, 16 Mar. 2026
Naperville Sun, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
The leading actor sourced and supplied personal pieces for both projects, and approaches costuming as a shorthand into showcasing his characters’ personality.
—Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 29 Jan. 2026
Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
In Milan, suits are never costume.
—Alejandro Badia, Footwear News, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for costume
Noun
As Hathaway spoke about the importance of costume design, Wintour looked about the audience with a sort of bored expression before putting on her signature sunglasses.
—Sam Reed, Glamour, 16 Mar. 2026
The performance includes the mesmerizing skills of fire poi dancers plus graceful choreography performed Polynesian dancers wearing traditional costumes.
—Ben Davidson, Mercury News, 16 Mar. 2026
Verb
Donning facial hair, bowler hats and narrow ties, a group of women costumed as men appear to pay court to the woman seated in the center of this photo, taken about 1905.
—Naperville Sun, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
The leading actor sourced and supplied personal pieces for both projects, and approaches costuming as a shorthand into showcasing his characters’ personality.
—Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
The theme this year is costume art.
—Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
In Milan, suits are never costume.
—Alejandro Badia, Footwear News, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for costume
Recent Examples of Synonyms for costume
Noun
-
Her hair was left long and straight with barely any curl, to echo the length of the statement-making dress.—
Gretta Monahan,
Boston Herald,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Brazilian celebrities and politicians are known to frequent this exceptionally lavish event, with a black tie, long-dress dress code; tickets start from £600 and go into the thousands.—
Laura French,
TheWeek,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
When officers arrived, two men approached them wearing masks and gloves, carrying at least one gun.—
Kristi Miller,
Twin Cities,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Known for his fringed mask and cinematic brand of outlaw country, Peck delivered a high-energy set that blended dramatic stage presence with crowd-pleasing singalongs.—
Staff Photographer,
Austin American Statesman,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Weaving, clad in a magenta pink gown, recorded a video message to fans, which ran at the start of the film.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Joseph and his supporters were clad in green and white and marched somberly to the election council’s headquarters.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 Mar. 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
-
Another activity is setting a leprechaun trap with pulleys to teach about working with objects in motion and camouflage.—
Julie Gallant,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
-
However, camouflage, vegetation and changing lighting conditions often make these mines nearly invisible in conventional images.—
Sagar Lekhak,
The Conversation,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
They were identically attired, in a dark suit and dark glasses.—
Alexandra Petri,
The Atlantic,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Critics highlighted Bad Bunny’s tendency to challenge gender norms related to attire and his open criticism of President Donald Trump.—
Torrey Snow,
Baltimore Sun,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Throw on a coordinating jacket and heeled thong sandals for your next dressy brunch or night on the town.—
Jake Henry Smith,
Glamour,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Exceptions To My Closet Clean-Out Rule The only exceptions to my rule are extremely sentimental and/or dressy pieces.—
Mary Shannon Wells,
Southern Living,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
There are the performers, who are dressed in the garb of their characters, and positioned in the environment in which those characters move onscreen.—
Naomi Fry,
New Yorker,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Adriana Lambarri’s costumes skillfully replicate the actor’s garb in the film while composer/sound designer Jazer Sibley-Schwartz channels at the outset a knowing nod to John Williams’ indelible, two-note cadence of menacing notes announcing the shark’s arrival.—
Christopher Smith,
Oc Register,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Costume.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/costume. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
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