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

Outside, even the owner’s sailing gear gets a party-ready disguise. — Kathy Barnes, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Sep. 2026 Even if his little head plops over when his disguise is broken. — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 1 Sep. 2026

Verb

But in order to disguise what is afoot, in a party-line vote in both houses of the General Assembly, Democrats prescribed the precise language that must appear on the ballot informing the voters what Question 3 will do, if passed. — Chris West, Baltimore Sun, 19 Sep. 2026 Those prone to hyperbole might be tempted to call this presidential tantrum disguised in procedural clothes a constitutional crisis. — Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for disguise

Recent Examples of Synonyms for disguise

Noun

The finale features Miss Asian Hall of Fame Ambassadors and showcases heritage costumes from around the world.

— Paul Grein, Billboard, 30 Sep. 2026
Before the girls perform for Eloise, Paulina creeps into the cafeteria alone, carefully made up and dressed in baby blue chiffon (costume designer Qween Jean continues to shoot nothing but net).

— Sara Holdren, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of costume

Noun

But unlike Backrooms, SCP Foundation has always been more centralized to this one website, and every subsequent SCP Foundation work has always fallen under the guise of the Creative Commons license, something the Backrooms creepypasta never did.

— Brian Welk, IndieWire, 24 Sep. 2026
As critics such as Antonio Candido have remarked, regionalism was at bottom an attempt to render Latin American reality in its dominant rural guise.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of guise

Verb

Plants can help camouflage an outdoor unit as long as they are planted far enough away that their mature size won’t eventually restrict airflow.

— Rachel Silva, Martha Stewart, 19 Sep. 2026
Deep underwater, an octopus can camouflage its skin instantly without sending every micro-decision back to a central brain.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of camouflage

Verb

Frankel also faces investment adviser fraud and false-statement counts over SEC filings that allegedly concealed his conviction and a Finra suspension.

— Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026
Baldwin had alleged that prosecutors intentionally concealed evidence that would vindicate him and sought to charge him for political gain.

— Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of conceal

Noun

Face masks were distributed to local kindergartens, and mandatory mask mandates were slapped on workers at the nearby Irkutsk Aluminum Plant.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026
An aluminum plant near the laboratory instructed staff to wear masks as a precautionary measure.

— Tim Lister, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of mask

Noun

After slogans criticizing the Sacramento State administration appeared in chalk on the facade of a 64-year-old campus building earlier this week, at least one student is now facing potential disciplinary action.

— Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026
Roses and a soft orange nod to the way light catches on its facades.

— Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of facade

Verb

The Trask twins have grown up with the lie that their mother died, and while Cal hides his wounds from that absence, Aron doesn’t.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026
Interior designers and professional organizers say most kitchens hide usable square footage in plain sight, trapped behind clutter, bad habits and bulky gear that could be stored smarter or edited out entirely.

— Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of hide

Verb

Aggregate data can obscure radically different labor market realities, and monetary policy calibrated only to the aggregate can miss the productive capacity sitting beneath it.

— Katica Roy, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026
Racing on Crait kicks up those vibrant red dust clouds, which obscure the view of other racers and can even slow them down.

— Hayes Madsen, Space.com, 2 Oct. 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 6 Oct. 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

regimen

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

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

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

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

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes