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
Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 21 Feb. 2026
And who doesn’t love costumes at Halloween?
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 21 Feb. 2026
Children go to school as Israelis prepare for the Jewish holiday of Purim and costumes are being prepared.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 21 Feb. 2026
Ahead, shop the outfits inspired by the Love Story costumes and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s closet.
—Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 20 Feb. 2026
His costumes alone are a wonder, a series of bell-bottom jumpsuits, many of them accented with elegant high, Revolutionary War-era collars and cinched with macramé belts, their fringe swinging in time with his hips.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 20 Feb. 2026
Arnel Sancianco’s sets, Marcella Barbeau’s lighting and the more glittering of Jaymee Ngernwichit’s costumes seem to place us in a retro Euro-style disco world, where fun is typically a function of the strength of the cocktails consumed.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026
This enchanting and timeless tale, filled with the romance and grandeur audiences know and love, features spectacular new sets and dazzling costumes.
—Rick Mauch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Feb. 2026
Whereas Carter thinks of her Aunt Ramona while designing her costumes, Göransson brought his experience learning guitar with his dad.
—Ryan Fleming, Deadline, 20 Feb. 2026
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
In the time since, his take on the character has become a fixture of fascination in pop culture, spawning a countless number of halloween costumes, memes and commentary.
—Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 21 Feb. 2026
And who doesn’t love costumes at Halloween?
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 21 Feb. 2026
Children go to school as Israelis prepare for the Jewish holiday of Purim and costumes are being prepared.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 21 Feb. 2026
Ahead, shop the outfits inspired by the Love Story costumes and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s closet.
—Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 20 Feb. 2026
His costumes alone are a wonder, a series of bell-bottom jumpsuits, many of them accented with elegant high, Revolutionary War-era collars and cinched with macramé belts, their fringe swinging in time with his hips.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 20 Feb. 2026
Arnel Sancianco’s sets, Marcella Barbeau’s lighting and the more glittering of Jaymee Ngernwichit’s costumes seem to place us in a retro Euro-style disco world, where fun is typically a function of the strength of the cocktails consumed.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026
This enchanting and timeless tale, filled with the romance and grandeur audiences know and love, features spectacular new sets and dazzling costumes.
—Rick Mauch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Feb. 2026
Whereas Carter thinks of her Aunt Ramona while designing her costumes, Göransson brought his experience learning guitar with his dad.
—Ryan Fleming, Deadline, 20 Feb. 2026
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
-
Dots, a brand hallmark, are another recurring motif, both thanks to holes knit into chunky sweaters and paillettes stitched onto delicate, straight-as-an-arrow slip dresses.—
Nicole Phelps,
Vogue,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Three dresses were made for the film—including one with a thigh-high slit.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
That ruling paved the way for federal immigration officials to continue wearing masks during California operations.—
Nathaniel Percy,
Daily News,
22 Feb. 2026
-
The brand has all the essentials to flaunt your natural texture with pride—shampoos, creams, conditioners, masks, treatments, and a styling gloss.—
Kieaundria Bellamy,
InStyle,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Ahead, shop the outfits inspired by the Love Story costumes and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s closet.—
Kristina Rutkowski,
Vogue,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Maxwell had taken Giuffre shopping for the meeting, buying her a Burberry purse and three outfits.—
Kim Hjelmgaard,
USA Today,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Costumes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/costumes. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
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