disguise 1 of 2

noun

Definition of disguisenext
1
as in costume
clothing put on to hide one's true identity or imitate someone or something else Mardi Gras revelers dressed in a colorful array of outlandish disguises

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in guise
a display of emotion or behavior that is insincere or intended to deceive somehow, he managed to put on a disguise of happiness as he watched his secret crush marry someone else

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

disguise

2 of 2

verb

də-ˈskīz How to pronounce disguise (audio)
1
as in to camouflage
to change the dress or looks of so as to conceal true identity the spies disguised themselves as harmless tourists

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to conceal
to keep secret or shut off from view that investigative reporter usually does a good job of disguising her true motives for interviewing a person

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb disguise differ from other similar words?

The words cloak and mask are common synonyms of disguise. While all three words mean "to alter the dress or appearance of so as to conceal the identity or true nature," disguise implies a change in appearance or behavior that misleads by presenting a different apparent identity.

disguised herself as a peasant

When is cloak a more appropriate choice than disguise?

The words cloak and disguise are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, cloak suggests a means of hiding a movement or an intention.

cloaked their maneuvers in secrecy

When might mask be a better fit than disguise?

The synonyms mask and disguise are sometimes interchangeable, but mask suggests some often obvious means of hiding or disguising something.

smiling to mask his discontent

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 disguise
Noun
For me, that says something about my preoccupation with monsters-in-disguise and the agency of women in both uncovering and conquering violence. —Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026 The detectives were convinced this was where Milner had gotten his disguise to kill Kenny. —Natalie Morales, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
Sending such a valentine was a way for ordinary people to enforce social norms disguised as a joke. —Melissa Chan, Fortune, 14 Feb. 2026 What remains is a tool of self-discipline, disguised as self-help. —Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for disguise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disguise
  1. costume
  2. guise
  3. camouflage
  4. conceal
  5. mask
  6. facade
  7. hide
  8. obscure
Noun
  • Wearing a costume or masking oneself is an integral part of the Mardi Gras experience in both New Orleans and Cajun country.
    — Carlie Procell, USA Today, 18 Feb. 2026
  • Their Fat Tuesday tradition is to walk through the French Quarter and admire people’s intricate and outrageous costumes.
    — Sara Cline, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026
Definition of costume
Noun
  • The government insisted his case had nothing to do with press freedom, saying the defendants used journalism as a guise to commit acts that harmed Hong Kong and China.
    — Kanis Leung, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Both marques returned to the competition this year in new guises.
    — Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of guise
Verb
  • The finish is like a veil with a light-reflecting brightness that does wonders at camouflaging darkness and discoloration.
    — Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 1 Feb. 2026
  • The tower is designed to resemble a tree in an effort to camouflage the antennas and reduce its visual impact.
    — Conor McGill, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026
Definition of camouflage
Verb
  • The women were able to conceal their pregnancies because they'd been given baggy dresses, clothing from women who'd been gassed, at Auschwitz, Holden said.
    — Lesley Stahl, CBS News, 16 Feb. 2026
  • Yacht deals tend to be shrouded in secrecy, with the names of the buyers and sellers intentionally concealed to protect the privacy and security of the ultra-wealthy.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 16 Feb. 2026
Definition of conceal
Noun
  • White House border czar Tom Homan said the administration was unwilling to agree to Democrats' demands that federal officers clearly identify themselves, remove masks during operations and display unique ID numbers.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Feb. 2026
  • White House border advisor Tom Homan said the administration was unwilling to agree to Democrats’ demands that federal officers clearly identify themselves, remove masks during operations and display unique ID numbers.
    — Aamer Madhani, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2026
Definition of mask
Noun
  • Now, the spot has undergone a careful restoration of its facades just steps from Como’s city center.
    — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 18 Feb. 2026
  • There’s enormous relief in letting go of the facade of perfect containment or the need to perform goodness.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Feb. 2026
Definition of facade
Verb
  • This means that bills get hearings, debates happen in public, and legislators are required to vote on issues instead of hiding behind process.
    — Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Maybe Mark Kelly and several other dissident members of Congress are hiding the sun in a big bag.
    — Alexandra Petri, The Atlantic, 14 Feb. 2026
Definition of hide
Verb
  • And a total solar eclipse—when the moon passes in front of the sun and fully obscures the star from our view—will grace the Northern Hemisphere on August 12.
    — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 17 Feb. 2026
  • Stay at least 200 feet behind any working plow to make sure your visibility isn't obscured.
    — Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 16 Feb. 2026
Definition of obscure

Browse Nearby Words

disgruntling
disguise
disguised
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Cite this Entry

“Disguise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disguise. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on disguise

Nglish: Translation of disguise for Spanish Speakers

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