disguise 1 of 2

Definition of disguisenext

disguise

2 of 2

verb

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
Getting her out of Venezuela, where she is considered a fugitive by President Nicolás Maduro, involved disguises, deception, navigating choppy seas and arranging flight options. Louis Casiano , Jennifer Griffin , Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 15 Dec. 2025 Wearing a wig and a disguise, Machado boarded a fishing boat bound in the Caribbean and hopped on a private jet that arrived in Oslo, Norway. Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 12 Dec. 2025
Verb
National Book Critics Circle Award-winning author Xiaolu Guo recasts Ishmael as a 17-year-old girl disguised as a cabin boy and Ahab as a Black freedman named Seneca, haunted by his father’s legacy of enslavement. Theara Coleman, TheWeek, 6 Jan. 2026 Malicious code disguised as images The group hid JavaScript inside PNG image files. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 6 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for disguise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disguise
Noun
  • The mascot is best known for his signature catch phrase and outrageous costume featuring a red cape, sunglasses and a belt decorated with Duff beer cans.
    Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026
  • The star also shared an adorable photo of the family’s matching Halloween costume, sharing an image of her, Luai, and Shammas wearing Batman costumes with masks and capes.
    Lara Walsh, InStyle, 6 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Several actors donned the iconic guise of Ghostface in the Scream franchise, but one of the most intriguing is Billy Loomis (Skeet Ulrich) in the original film.
    Steven Thrash, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Oct. 2025
  • In this guise, Saverino is breathless with excitement.
    Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 14 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • This could be because the natural activity of supermassive black holes and the emissions that come from the accretion disk around them can camouflage TDEs.
    Robert Lea, Space.com, 4 Nov. 2025
  • When asked about this tactic, Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said that the agency believes its employees are not camouflaging their identities.
    NPR, NPR, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The actress became pregnant with their first child while filming season 3 of The Rookie, and instead of strategically concealing her pregnancy to play Angela, creator Alexi Hawley simply wrote it into Diaz's character's storyline.
    Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
  • Her go-to is the Madison Reed Radiant Hair Color Kit, a $35 at-home hair color box that conceals 100 percent of stubborn grays and enhances shine.
    Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 7 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The star also shared an adorable photo of the family’s matching Halloween costume, sharing an image of her, Luai, and Shammas wearing Batman costumes with masks and capes.
    Lara Walsh, InStyle, 6 Jan. 2026
  • New York’s Democratic governor, Andrew Cuomo, issued early stay-at-home orders, imposed one of the first statewide mask mandates, and discouraged in-person church services.
    Jamie Thompson, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • While no major changes to the building's facade are anticipated, the project calls for a one-story addition to its north annex.
    Hannah Kirby, jsonline.com, 6 Nov. 2025
  • The money, the success — all a facade.
    Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Still seething after a sloppy 19-16 loss to the Detroit Lions, Johnson wasn’t hiding his dissatisfaction with a defeat that seemed to diminish his team’s momentum.
    Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
  • But the jury in the federal civil lawsuit found that Moore violated Gillispie's rights by hiding evidence that would have helped Gillispie's defense and creating unfair lineup procedures for the victims.
    Laura A. Bischoff, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • While Beijing uses code names to obscure some of their military projects, CNN’s research revealed – and then pinpointed – the sites.
    Tamara Qiblawi, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Shiri’s face was obscured by an image originally created by Vancouver street artist iHeart.
    Gabriele Regalbuto, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Disguise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disguise. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on disguise

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