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
He was lauded for his entrepreneurial chops while effectively being shooed out of the powerful firm; but leaving the Wall Street institution proved to be a blessing in disguise in propelling his career to its current height. Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 27 May 2026 Since this money cannot be a loan in disguise, your donor must sign a gift letter confirming the funds are a true gift with no expectation of repayment. Jason Peters, Kansas City Star, 27 May 2026
Verb
Women disguise themselves as boys at the drop — or perhaps the addition — of a hat. Literary Hub, 2 June 2026 Williamson helped to disguise the money as payments to McCluskie’s wife, who received about $10,000 per month, some of it subsidized with Williamson’s own funds, court documents say. Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 2 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for disguise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disguise
Noun
  • What’s fun about the Love Island USA challenges is the complex set designs and costumes all around a theme that isn’t entirely necessary but adds to the overall campiness of the show.
    Carolyn Burt, Oc Register, 9 June 2026
  • Rather than relying on approximations, costume designer Marci Rodgers recreated each piece from the ground up, sourcing materials that matched the originals as closely as possible, even down to the thread color.
    Lily Brown, PEOPLE, 9 June 2026
Noun
  • The business owners argue that they’ve been denied leases in Westport for racially discriminatory reasons under the guise of improving public safety.
    Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 12 June 2026
  • Opponents of affirmative action, who suspect that the process is still continuing under other guises, could seek to replicate the winning strategy of the Harvard and UNC cases, if testing data show large, unexplainable gaps in academic preparation among different student groups.
    Idrees Kahloon, The Atlantic, 9 June 2026
Verb
  • Visitors emerge on a hillside above the shoreline, camouflaged by coastal vegetation.
    Pavlo Fedykovych, CNN Money, 12 June 2026
  • Olivia Rodrigo knows the true magic of New York City lies in the way its pace camouflages public crash outs.
    Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 12 June 2026
Verb
  • Located in a region with a rich mining history, the mine was worked in the 1880s before being concealed when the hillside was blasted down.
    Alia Beard Rau, USA Today, 10 June 2026
  • It is further alleged that the accused were able to conceal the situation by not allowing the minor access to medical appointments and removing them from church activities, Our Quad Cities reports, citing the affidavits.
    Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 9 June 2026
Noun
  • But there are so many other travel accessories that can make a flight feel more restful or indulgent, including a silk sleep mask, a comfortable neck pillow, or a phone stand.
    Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 6 June 2026
  • Of the 40,000 shoppers who have bought the mask in the last month, tons of reviewers rave about the firm, supple results the mask provides.
    Essence Wiley, InStyle, 6 June 2026
Noun
  • The most important stories of Jesus’ life, the Nativity and Passion, are etched into the basilica’s east and west facades.
    Joseph Wilson, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026
  • The 18 towers represent different figures from scripture including the apostles, evangelists and Virgin Mary while the three facades depict the life of Jesus along with his death and final judgment.
    Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 10 June 2026
Verb
  • This automatically measures the distance between the edges of the folding panels, uses sensors to detect offsets and recalibrates the brightness of adjacent LEDs to hide the tiny slot.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 13 June 2026
  • Achieving it in reality would be brutally hard because the target moves, hides, jams, uses decoys, and fights back.
    Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 13 June 2026
Verb
  • The Islamic Republic of Iran has accelerated its executions of dissidents and activists, with the true number of victims likely obscured by the regime’s internet censorship and blackout.
    Beth Bailey, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2026
  • The old model obscured the relationship between advertiser and editorial.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 9 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Disguise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disguise. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on disguise

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster