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

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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

Flores is writing new code on how to build a formidable defense, one that disguises blitzes that apply pressure from all angles. — Miami Herald, 29 Sep. 2026 The lightweight cream disguises dark circles, redness, blemishes, and uneven tone, melting in seamlessly enough to blend across larger areas in place of foundation. — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 18 Sep. 2026

Verb

Members deliver speeches disguised as questions, trade insults with witnesses, and grandstand for social media. — David Wippman, Washington Post, 5 Oct. 2026 His death sparked a Charlotte Observer investigation that exposed how fentanyl pills disguised as Percocets were sold for $7 inside Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools —specifically Hough High School — and was killing teens or landing them in rehab. — Julia Coin october 1, Charlotte Observer, 1 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for disguise

Recent Examples of Synonyms for disguise

Noun

There’s also a collection of original costumes, weapons, props and production artifacts from across Villeneuve’s trilogy, including a full-scale ornithopter used in the films.

— Anna Tingley, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026
The evening, co-hosted by Vanity Fair, marked a continuation in the film’s already lengthy journey, with a suitably ambitious exhibition pulling back the curtain on costumes, puppets, props and diminutive sets.

— Bridget Arsenault, Vanity Fair, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of costume

Noun

In the novel, likewise, the narrator assumes an almost Homeric guise, comparing current harbor gossip to chatter from the Phoenician, Cretan, Greek, and Roman eras.

— Alex Ross, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of guise

Verb

Rather than always keeping her baby bumps concealed or camouflaged, the hitmaker embraced bold colors and cutouts that made her belly a focal point.

— Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 2 Oct. 2026
In Tech Reviews Science Entertainment AI Policy If a data center is camouflaged in the woods, will anyone hate it?

— Justine Calma, The Verge, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of camouflage

Verb

The listening device was plugged into a USB port on the back of a television, concealed by a small piece of toilet paper, according to the FBI.

— Jim Edwards, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2026
The device, which had a detachable camera sensor, digital microphone, and microSD storage, was concealed in toilet paper, according to the complaint.

— Dan Mangan,Eamon Javers,Paige Tortorelli, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of conceal

Noun

Prue barely even acknowledges the guy riding a unicycle past her local coffee shop while playing the bagpipes from under a Darth Vader mask.

— David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 11 Oct. 2026
An illusion who has to smoke through his COVID mask and juggle packages and doughnut shop coffee, but an illusion nonetheless.

— Roberta Mercuri, Vanity Fair, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of mask

Noun

The story centers on a transfer student’s enigmatic bond with a teacher, as a string of unexplained, supernatural incidents cracks the school’s polished facade.

— Ophélie Surcouf, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
As Ray goes down the rabbit hole, the shiny facade of Metropia and Megamax (which is, notably and obviously evil from the start) begin to crumble.

— Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of facade

Verb

What resonated most for me, though, was witnessing conversations where depth of understanding unveiled perspectives previously obscured.

— Pravir Malik, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
While the planets in our solar system are still visible, sky glow obscures more distant objects, such as fainter stars.

— Chris McMullen, Space.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of obscure

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disgruntling

disguise

disguised

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“Disguise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disguise. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

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verb

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