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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of costumes
Hikmat Mohammed, Footwear News, 5 Sep. 2025
The 11 costumes on this list are varied, with classics and modern choices.
—Christopher Murray
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2025
Her parents ran a theater production company that made sets and costumes.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025
Rare film footage, costumes, shoes, props, papers and other Joffrey goodies are making their way across the country for a three-month stay, marking the company’s 70th anniversary and 30th year in its adopted home.
—Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2025
Before Williams, Star Wars was a bunch of actors in Halloween costumes running around wooden spaceship sets.
—Tim Greiving, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025
The sneak peek features footage of RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook in a variety of colorful costumes hyping up the crowds at their massive shows while busting out their signature pinpoint choreography.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 27 Aug. 2025
The campy movie includes iconic pink and blue costumes, RuPaul, and young Melanie Lynskey.
—Ana Osorno, Them., 26 Aug. 2025
The era of shaky sets, rubbery costumes, and crude models has now largely made way for photorealistic computer renderings, digital studio environments, and realtime CGI prosthetics, and science fiction productions now feel incredibly immersive, well resolved, and believable.
—Nick Foster
august 26, Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2025
Noun
One of the dance performances is based around the ritual of dancers changing in and out of their costumes.
—Hikmat Mohammed, Footwear News, 5 Sep. 2025
The 11 costumes on this list are varied, with classics and modern choices.
—Christopher Murray
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2025
Her parents ran a theater production company that made sets and costumes.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025
Rare film footage, costumes, shoes, props, papers and other Joffrey goodies are making their way across the country for a three-month stay, marking the company’s 70th anniversary and 30th year in its adopted home.
—Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2025
Before Williams, Star Wars was a bunch of actors in Halloween costumes running around wooden spaceship sets.
—Tim Greiving, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025
The sneak peek features footage of RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook in a variety of colorful costumes hyping up the crowds at their massive shows while busting out their signature pinpoint choreography.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 27 Aug. 2025
The campy movie includes iconic pink and blue costumes, RuPaul, and young Melanie Lynskey.
—Ana Osorno, Them., 26 Aug. 2025
The era of shaky sets, rubbery costumes, and crude models has now largely made way for photorealistic computer renderings, digital studio environments, and realtime CGI prosthetics, and science fiction productions now feel incredibly immersive, well resolved, and believable.
—Nick Foster
august 26, Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for costumes
Noun
-
Right on time, Target dropped a Fall Outfit Storefront filled with sweaters, dresses, shoes, and bags that make getting dressed easy.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
People.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Think fall dresses that could pass for designer, Quince cashmere sweaters soft enough to double as a blanket on the plane, and wide-leg pants that instantly elevate your outfit.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Invisible pollutants unleashed To simulate real-world conditions, the researchers placed unused masks in beakers of ultra-pure water and left them at room temperature for 24 hours.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Agents dressed in black, with masks covering their faces, stood in formation on the tarmac.—
Jonathan Blitzer,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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And, many of these fall outfits are on sale, so now is the perfect time to add them to your cart.—
Isis Briones,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Sep. 2025
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The friends were both wearing some form of American flag on their outfits and were visiting from Syracuse, New York.—
Chris Quintana,
USA Today,
6 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Costumes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/costumes. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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