Synonyms of disguise

disguise 1 of 2

noun

1

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

• costume
• mask
• camouflage
• guise
• veil
• paint
• dress
• visor
• coloring
• rig
• domino
• vizard
• makeup
• getup
• cosmetic
• outfit
• costumery

2

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

• guise
• facade
• show
• pretense
• pose
• act
• masquerade
• charade
• cloak
• front
• semblance
• airs
• pretext
• appearance
• put-on
• playacting
• camouflage
• performance
• portrayal
• persona
• impersonation
• deception
• excuse
• affectation
• image
• duplicity
• betrayal
• deceit
• dissimulation
• gloss
• treachery
• fraud
• guile
• treason
• color
• perfidy
• falseness
• fakery
• dissembling
• double-dealing
• falsity
• faithlessness
• double cross
• infidelity
• unfaithfulness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• sincerity
• frankness
• directness
• candor
• straightforwardness
• bluntness
• forthrightness
• outspokenness
• candidness
• naïveté
• artlessness
• genuineness
• plainspokenness
• openheartedness

disguise

2 of 2

verb

də-ˈskīz 

1

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

• camouflage
• mask
• conceal
• hide
• cloak
• simulate
• obscure
• cover
• pose
• masquerade
• assume
• affect
• dress up
• veil
• pretend
• screen
• dissimulate
• curtain
• feign
• play
• blot out
• shroud
• enshroud
• dissemble
• occult
• sham
• counterfeit
• fake
• blanket
• impersonate
• act
• whitewash
• varnish
• gild
• gloss (over)
• cosmeticize

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unmask
• show
• expose
• display
• uncover
• flaunt
• exhibit
• parade
• unveil
• reveal
• disclose
• discover
• betray
• divulge
• uncloak
• bare
• unclothe
• undrape

2

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

• conceal
• hide
• obscure
• cover
• mask
• suppress
• cloak
• veil
• curtain
• blot out
• camouflage
• occult
• shroud
• blanket
• paper over
• belie
• overshadow
• screen
• enshroud
• bury
• block
• cover (up)
• smother
• whitewash
• shade
• obstruct
• varnish
• gloss (over)
• gild
• darken
• occlude
• eclipse
• cloud
• overcast
• becloud
• bedim
• befog

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reveal
• show
• disclose
• expose
• display
• uncover
• divulge
• present
• unveil
• bare
• unmask
• bring out
• uncloak
• clarify
• illuminate
• advertise
• get out
• spread
• proclaim
• publish
• publicize
• broadcast
• air

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

Recent Examples of disguise

Noun

At the beginning of the Arcadia, one of the princes, Musidorus, courts Pamela, one of the sister-princesses, by communicating to her that his shepherd apparel is just a disguise. — Literary Hub, 18 Aug. 2026

Artificial intelligence disguises itself as human, attempts to dupe a web developer and mounts a malicious cyberattack -- all on its own. — Max Zahn, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026

Verb

These companies and accounts, often disguised as trading firms, settled transactions involving renminbi collected inside China against dollars held offshore. — Alvin Camba, Foreign Affairs, 21 Aug. 2026

Say Yes to a Trellis Trellises add beauty and intrigue to any part of the yard, and can play a useful role in helping to disguise garbage cans as well. — Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 19 Aug. 2026