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
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of costumes
Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 12 Jan. 2026
In an exclusive first look at the film's costumes, British Vogue spoke to costume designer Jacqueline Durran about her inspiration for some of her boldest looks for Robbie's Cathy.
—Meg Walters, InStyle, 11 Jan. 2026
From the moment the first grainy paparazzi shots surfaced from the set, the internet was ablaze with hot takes on the costumes’ period inaccuracies and general outlandishness.
—Radhika Seth, Vogue, 10 Jan. 2026
Ontario's ability to play dress-up became the show's secret weapon, though some costumes needed serious tailoring.
—Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026
The museum is packed with photographs, miniatures, costumes, and displays from over a century of circus tradition.
—Iona Brannon, Travel + Leisure, 9 Jan. 2026
The carousel included photos of the two romantically gazing into each other's eyes, embracing on the football field, out to dinner together, posing in their Halloween costumes and locking lips on several occasions.
—Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
Turzanska highlighted a serendipitous research discovery when London rental house Cosprop found a box unopened for 100 years containing fancy Victorian ball costumes.
—Kennedy French, Variety, 9 Jan. 2026
Despite an official ban on celebrating Halloween, thousands of Tehranis, including many unveiled women, donned costumes last week.
—Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 7 Nov. 2025
Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 7 Jan. 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
These Halloween costumes for kids are all under $45.
—Katrina Cossey, Parents, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
There were also opportunities to secure unique stage props, artwork and costumes from previous pageant shows at the Bizarre Bazaar.
—Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 12 Jan. 2026
In an exclusive first look at the film's costumes, British Vogue spoke to costume designer Jacqueline Durran about her inspiration for some of her boldest looks for Robbie's Cathy.
—Meg Walters, InStyle, 11 Jan. 2026
From the moment the first grainy paparazzi shots surfaced from the set, the internet was ablaze with hot takes on the costumes’ period inaccuracies and general outlandishness.
—Radhika Seth, Vogue, 10 Jan. 2026
Ontario's ability to play dress-up became the show's secret weapon, though some costumes needed serious tailoring.
—Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026
The museum is packed with photographs, miniatures, costumes, and displays from over a century of circus tradition.
—Iona Brannon, Travel + Leisure, 9 Jan. 2026
The carousel included photos of the two romantically gazing into each other's eyes, embracing on the football field, out to dinner together, posing in their Halloween costumes and locking lips on several occasions.
—Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
Turzanska highlighted a serendipitous research discovery when London rental house Cosprop found a box unopened for 100 years containing fancy Victorian ball costumes.
—Kennedy French, Variety, 9 Jan. 2026
Despite an official ban on celebrating Halloween, thousands of Tehranis, including many unveiled women, donned costumes last week.
—Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
In it, Oldham costumes up as a shaggy woodland monster, which—after a more nimble inhabitant seemingly swaps into the outfit—proceeds to engage a human in an elaborate dance routine.
—Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 7 Jan. 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
These Halloween costumes for kids are all under $45.
—Katrina Cossey, Parents, 1 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for costumes
Noun
-
Parisian brand Rouje is an arbiter of cool, and founder Jeanne Damas’s flirty dresses are feminine and timeless.—
Lane Nieset,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Jan. 2026
-
At the 2026 Golden Globes, dresses were every color of the crayon box.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The littlest hoopsters will work on their basketball skills and in the Scrub, Sparkle and Shine Kids Spa Class, kids will create their own mud masks, nail polish and sparkling unicorn sugar scrubs.—
Karen Billing,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Especially in the entertainment and editorial spaces, Lively shared that everyone around her uses masks regularly — which is how celebrities achieve the lush and soft look coveted on the red carpet.—
Kanika Talwar,
Footwear News,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
One of the most notorious Golden Globe outfits of all time was worn by Lara Flynn Boyle in 2003.—
Colleen Kratofil,
PEOPLE,
11 Jan. 2026
-
The effect feels elevated and intentional, allowing outfits to stand out while remaining versatile enough to mix easily with classic staples.—
Gabrielle Porcaro,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Costumes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/costumes. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
