DISGUISE Synonyms: 155 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

disguise 1 of 2

noun

Definition of disguise

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

Relevance

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

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

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

The practical question, then as now, is whether universalism is an expensive disguise for redistribution or the only way redistribution can endure. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026 Despite disguises, they were recognized by a man outside, who raised the alarm. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Oct. 2026

Verb

Can the Vikings disguise their looks, get home with the blitz and force mistakes? — Andy Scholes, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2026 Strong revenue from two or three long-standing clients can disguise a business that has no idea how to grow. — Wesley Rowlands, Forbes.com, 5 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for disguise

Recent Examples of Synonyms for disguise

Noun

The debate went viral in recent days, prompting a slew of Halloween costumes, a four-course restaurant tasting menu and public appearances by a real duck named Olivia.

— Rachel Treisman, NPR, 4 Nov. 2026
Elsewhere in the memoir, Dench spoke about the 2004 sci-fi film’s costuming while comparing costume fittings for movies and theatre.

— Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of costume

Noun

The guise of a youthful flush In those early episodes, Cathy’s makeup had to mirror her hair’s equally nonthreatening appearance, so a fresh, skin-first look was important.

— Katie Gunderman, Allure, 21 Oct. 2026
Under his guise of Guy With a Movie Camera, he’s been hired by studios and streamers to help promote their projects with his particular brand of BTS content.

— Seija Rankin, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of guise

Verb

So matriarch Yoo-Mi Lee camouflaged her teriyaki menu with dishes from her Korean heritage and influences from the years the family lived in Brazil.

— Allecia Vermillion, Bon Appetit Magazine, 2 Nov. 2026
Definitely go for a dip, preferably at night under the impossibly starry sky, in one of the onsen pools camouflaged into the Japanese rock garden.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of camouflage

Verb

Jenica Monique Ochoa, 45, and Kenneth Eugene Tompkins, 43, have been charged with conspiracy to commit a crime and concealing a death, according to Santa Barbara Superior Court Records reviewed by PEOPLE.

— Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 2026
Two people have been charged with concealing a man’s death inside his Santa Barbara apartment after the body was found wrapped in a bedroll, stuffed into a metal container and covered with plastic wrap.

— Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of conceal

Noun

Three years after his dad’s death, Dane continued to put on a facade — especially when finding out what really happened to his father.

— Shelby Stivale, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Nov. 2026
The 14,000-square-foot Dutch Colonial was built in 1928 and has a limestone façade that matches the State Capitol building two blocks away.

— Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of facade

Verb

In Fallen Leaves Adult pests, larvae, and eggs can all hide out in old and fallen leaves that have dropped off deciduous plants, trees, and dead veggies.

— Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 6 Nov. 2026
What starts as a thrilling hustle exposes just how many guns are hiding inside the homes of their seemingly safe community.

— Marta Balaga, Variety, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of hide

Verb

As light mist obscured the far-off Chicago skyline, only the faint sounds of metal cranes clanging and construction vehicles beeping in the distance broke up the quiet morning at Park 566 in South Shore.

— Finnegan Belleau, Chicago Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026
The result is enough glare remaining to obscure a planet, but Wang and colleagues developed a new approach to this problem.

— Robert Lea, Space.com, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of obscure

Browse Nearby Words

disgruntling

disguise

disguised

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Disguise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disguise. Accessed 11 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of disguise

noun

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

valorous

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

31 Useful Rhetorical Devices

More Commonly Misspelled Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Popular in Wordplay

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes