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
Lindsay Cohn, Travel + Leisure, 13 June 2026
A bit of romance, lots of great character conflicts, lovely English countryside and fantastic period costumes all make for a really excellent watch.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
Participants and spectators are encouraged to dress in bright colors and fun costumes to embrace the festive spirit of Pride.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 12 June 2026
Fortune’s Eva Roytburg was on scene outside Nasdaq before the stock opened on Friday, where supporters of Musk and the company were spotted wearing astronaut costumes and discussing their potential ownership of the stock.
—Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 12 June 2026
But the plot is just a loose framework for the film’s real appeal, which is its sly sense of fun, fabulous costumes, and genius use of its limited indie resources.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 12 June 2026
Inside the Ava Gardner Museum, visitors will find costumes, scripts, photographs, personal artifacts, and exhibits spanning Gardner's five-decade career in Hollywood.
—Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 12 June 2026
The film’s costumes, designed by 26-year-old Blair James, work double duty as character choices that reveal both Bear’s insecurity and Nikki’s unraveling.
—Olivia Tauber, Vanity Fair, 12 June 2026
Not to mention purchasing an ever-growing number of costumes for those who run with him.
—Audrey Pachuta, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2026
Literary Hub, 9 Apr. 2026
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
Noun
My children still rave about The Playbarn, a play area for babies and toddlers that’s chockablock with toys, puzzles, costumes, and crafts.
—Lindsay Cohn, Travel + Leisure, 13 June 2026
A bit of romance, lots of great character conflicts, lovely English countryside and fantastic period costumes all make for a really excellent watch.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
Participants and spectators are encouraged to dress in bright colors and fun costumes to embrace the festive spirit of Pride.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 12 June 2026
Fortune’s Eva Roytburg was on scene outside Nasdaq before the stock opened on Friday, where supporters of Musk and the company were spotted wearing astronaut costumes and discussing their potential ownership of the stock.
—Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 12 June 2026
But the plot is just a loose framework for the film’s real appeal, which is its sly sense of fun, fabulous costumes, and genius use of its limited indie resources.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 12 June 2026
Inside the Ava Gardner Museum, visitors will find costumes, scripts, photographs, personal artifacts, and exhibits spanning Gardner's five-decade career in Hollywood.
—Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 12 June 2026
The film’s costumes, designed by 26-year-old Blair James, work double duty as character choices that reveal both Bear’s insecurity and Nikki’s unraveling.
—Olivia Tauber, Vanity Fair, 12 June 2026
Not to mention purchasing an ever-growing number of costumes for those who run with him.
—Audrey Pachuta, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2026
Verb
The same girls who’d posted winking pop-culture-reference couples Halloween costumes a few years ago were now posting their toddlers in their own pop-culture-reference costumes.
—Literary Hub, 9 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for costumes
Noun
-
Staud’s sale is full of summery dresses and separates, but this ditsy floral skirt is a favorite styled with a white button down and a bikini underneath.—
Aemilia Madden,
Vogue,
18 June 2026
-
It's all designed to last, with sweet linen dresses and airy shorts giving me cool options for every single occasion.—
Tanya Sharma,
PEOPLE,
17 June 2026
Noun
-
Carrington, who died in 2011, devoted the final 17 years of her life to creating bronze figures and masks, conjuring her chimeric cast out of the canvas and into our own.—
Tessa Solomon,
ARTnews.com,
13 June 2026
-
The Justice Department is suing Virginia over new state laws limiting federal immigration enforcement, including a ban on federal agents wearing masks.—
Liam Bowman,
Washington Post,
13 June 2026
Noun
-
Although the bag’s minimalist design effortlessly pairs with travel outfits, its gold zippers and hardware add an elegant touch, while its fabric’s subtle texture gives it a luxe presentation.—
Sian Babish,
PEOPLE,
18 June 2026
-
Charli’s things are all over his bedroom, including a vanity, a rack of her black outfits and heels, and several trays of silver jewelry.—
Angie Martoccio,
Rolling Stone,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Costumes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/costumes. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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