1
as in dresses
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 masks
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 clothes
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of costumes
Ryan Brennan
april 3, Charlotte Observer, 3 Apr. 2026
The person hired to fabricate these cute animal costumes was Bill Scollon.
—John Haddad, The Conversation, 3 Apr. 2026
The businesswoman transformed into Demi Moore's 1996 Striptease character, Erin Grant, for one of her many costumes in 2024.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026
The music was sufficiently groovy, the costumes era-appropriate (miniskirts, Travolta-tight slacks), yet nothing conjured the tension of an oppressive August day—and nobody broke a sweat.
—Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 2 Apr. 2026
This festival featured carnivals that included music, costumes, and mocking church rituals.
—Paula Soria, AZCentral.com, 1 Apr. 2026
The Asian version will take flight after the original contest takes place in Vienna in May, with 35 countries competing in the singing contest known for outrageous costumes, towering ballads and high-energy performances.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 31 Mar. 2026
How Planet Comicon prioritizes representation Beyond the convention floor, cosplay culture in Kansas City is shaped not only by those wearing the costumes, but by the people organizing the space, creating new stories and experiencing it for the first time.
—Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026
Demonstrators at various protests have been seen wearing costumes like an inflatable dinosaur getup, an inflatable baby Trump and 18th-century wear.
—Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2026
Boutayna Chokrane, Pitchfork, 2 Apr. 2026
It is celebrated with a ceremonious parade that features a cavalcade of men dressed in Roman soldier costumes, evoking a sense of solemn thanksgiving and spiritual devotion.
—Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Mar. 2026
The room houses costumes for performances for the entire year, and there are about 40 years of costumes in the room.
—Najahe Sherman, CBS News, 22 Dec. 2025
The company brought its famous mascot — the beloved Morton Salt Girl, who every year inspires who knows how many Halloween costumes.
—Kansas City Star, 13 Nov. 2025
Those costumes from the original Broadway production, including the Schuyler sisters’ winter ball gowns, Hamilton, Jefferson and Burr’s suits, as well as King George’s outfit, are all featured among the exhibit, too.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 5 Nov. 2025
Here are five tips for creating last-minute DIY KPop Demon Hunters Halloween costumes.
—Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Party City Halloween costumes 2025 Customers can shop for the family or office party in a few clicks and have orders delivered through DoorDash.
—Cheryl V. Jackson, IndyStar, 22 Oct. 2025
See Halloween costumes through the decades.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 17 Oct. 2025
Noun
Chloe Lamford is set designer, Georgia McGuinness is designing costumes, Jon Clark is on lighting and Will Stuart is composing the score.
—Ryan Brennan
april 3, Charlotte Observer, 3 Apr. 2026
The person hired to fabricate these cute animal costumes was Bill Scollon.
—John Haddad, The Conversation, 3 Apr. 2026
The businesswoman transformed into Demi Moore's 1996 Striptease character, Erin Grant, for one of her many costumes in 2024.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026
The music was sufficiently groovy, the costumes era-appropriate (miniskirts, Travolta-tight slacks), yet nothing conjured the tension of an oppressive August day—and nobody broke a sweat.
—Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 2 Apr. 2026
This festival featured carnivals that included music, costumes, and mocking church rituals.
—Paula Soria, AZCentral.com, 1 Apr. 2026
The Asian version will take flight after the original contest takes place in Vienna in May, with 35 countries competing in the singing contest known for outrageous costumes, towering ballads and high-energy performances.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 31 Mar. 2026
How Planet Comicon prioritizes representation Beyond the convention floor, cosplay culture in Kansas City is shaped not only by those wearing the costumes, but by the people organizing the space, creating new stories and experiencing it for the first time.
—Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026
Demonstrators at various protests have been seen wearing costumes like an inflatable dinosaur getup, an inflatable baby Trump and 18th-century wear.
—Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2026
Verb
To make that medicine go down easier, RAYE costumes her fatalism in a baroque maximalism.
—Boutayna Chokrane, Pitchfork, 2 Apr. 2026
It is celebrated with a ceremonious parade that features a cavalcade of men dressed in Roman soldier costumes, evoking a sense of solemn thanksgiving and spiritual devotion.
—Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Mar. 2026
The room houses costumes for performances for the entire year, and there are about 40 years of costumes in the room.
—Najahe Sherman, CBS News, 22 Dec. 2025
The company brought its famous mascot — the beloved Morton Salt Girl, who every year inspires who knows how many Halloween costumes.
—Kansas City Star, 13 Nov. 2025
Those costumes from the original Broadway production, including the Schuyler sisters’ winter ball gowns, Hamilton, Jefferson and Burr’s suits, as well as King George’s outfit, are all featured among the exhibit, too.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 5 Nov. 2025
Here are five tips for creating last-minute DIY KPop Demon Hunters Halloween costumes.
—Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Party City Halloween costumes 2025 Customers can shop for the family or office party in a few clicks and have orders delivered through DoorDash.
—Cheryl V. Jackson, IndyStar, 22 Oct. 2025
See Halloween costumes through the decades.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 17 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for costumes
Noun
-
For more of the best deals in Nordstrom’s sale, check out our favorite dresses, shorts, jeans, skirts, lounge pants, and more below.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
1 Apr. 2026
-
No more identity months, DEI offices, dudes in dresses.—
Steve Chapman,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Surveillance footage showed Angel-Martinez, Castillo and Pineda getting out of their vehicle wearing masks and holding guns, according to court documents.—
Shannon Tyler,
Idaho Statesman,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Use hair masks or natural hair oil to keep hair color shiny and vibrant.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The outfits of the smart working women of the 1920s and 1930s, the kitchens of the 1950s, and the hard mobile bodies of the 1980s and 1990s trace that long invitation toward a harmonious relationship of control and comfort.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Apr. 2026
-
But iconic, refined, and the easiest way to make your outfits match the brighter days ahead?—
Alyssa Grabinski,
PEOPLE,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Costumes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/costumes. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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