disguise 1 of 4

Definition of disguisenext

disguise

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verb (1)

disguised

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adjective

disguised

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verb (2)

past tense of disguise

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

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 disguise — which is pretty effective, even with formative generative AI modes — was only revealed about 15 minutes into the film, a neat bit of storytelling that highlighted the power of deepfakery. Jake Kanter, Deadline, 13 Mar. 2026 Former Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia brought NFL disguises to an Ohio State defense that could have three defenders picked in the top 10 in this year’s draft. Ted Nguyen, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Verb
Discrimination disguised as protection should not determine who can vote. Delmarie Alicea, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Mar. 2026 Wild goalie Filip Gustavsson said that Tarasenko’s ability to disguise and adjust his launching of the puck is his greatest skill. Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
The disguised aspects of Miles’s life are of little concern to me. Literary Hub, 9 Mar. 2026 With strong safety Kam Curl headed to free agency, the Rams have the opportunity to make their back end even more disguised with different nickel and dime looks now. Jesse Newell, New York Times, 4 Mar. 2026
Verb
That day, his Tahoe had been disguised with both an Uber decal and an out-of-state license plate. Ruby Cramer, New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2026 What follows this admission is a piercing dissection not of the art itself, but of frameworks of looking at Black art and life that go beyond racist tropes disguised as appeals to the primitive, the spontaneous, the corporeal. Literary Hub, 12 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for disguise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disguise
Noun
  • And in 1929 Chanel designed costumes for Apollon Musagète dancers, whose tunics were belted with Charvet ties.
    Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 24 Mar. 2026
  • One can already picture her van packed to the brim with trampolines, inflatable dolphins, pig masks, Pierrot-esque clown costumes, and one of those rainbow parachutes from elementary school gym class.
    Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 24 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The Department of the Treasury last Thursday designated Hayat Yolu as a key player in a covert global network that uses the guise of humanitarian aid to raise money overseas.
    Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 20 Mar. 2026
  • But sometimes the squashing of speech can appear in other guises.
    Andrea Valdez, The Atlantic, 14 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Other guests remain cloaked in mystery, which suited the experience fine.
    Adam Erace, Travel + Leisure, 6 Feb. 2026
  • The new character, also called Six Ravens, will sometimes be portrayed as a black bird and other times as a mysterious, cloaked woman with a raven mask.
    Megan duBois, Southern Living, 16 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Unlike lighter lip treatments that quickly absorb (and disappear), this editor-favorite has a plush, balm-meets-mask texture that forms a cushiony layer over lips to seal in moisture overnight.
    Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 22 Mar. 2026
  • The suspect then entered a nearby apartment building, the report stated, and appeared on the building’s internal surveillance cameras without a mask.
    Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Don’t mistake the play’s opening facade for what is in fact an intricate and multi-layered performance work.
    Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Behind this façade, a sandy path leads to a dense network of row houses.
    Taran Khan, The Dial, 24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • That's when police said a masked gunman approached the group and opened fire.
    Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026
  • Security camera footage shared with CNN showed three masked people approach an ambulance belonging to the Hatzola Northwest organization and set it on fire.
    Clare Sebastian, CNN Money, 23 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • When her handler Beth Traynham instructed her to search, Chelly moved quickly and confidently toward a camouflage tarp in the center of the field.
    Liz Teitz, San Antonio Express-News, 19 Mar. 2026
  • In a band where a guitar and a saxophone can use one another as camouflage, what good is absolute allegiance to six strings, anyway?
    Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 17 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Swift was photographed solo on the red carpet and with a group of iHeartRadio execs before the show at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles.
    Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Fan Fest continues through the weekend, with a drone show and music festival planned for Friday.
    Kenny Choi, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Disguise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disguise. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.

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