mask 1 of 2

1
as in costume
a cover or partial cover for the face used to disguise oneself an elaborate mask that would be suitable for a fancy masquerade ball

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2

mask

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb mask differ from other similar words?

The words cloak and disguise are common synonyms of mask. While all three words mean "to alter the dress or appearance of so as to conceal the identity or true nature," mask suggests some often obvious means of hiding or disguising something.

smiling to mask his discontent

When is cloak a more appropriate choice than mask?

Although the words cloak and mask have much in common, cloak suggests a means of hiding a movement or an intention.

cloaked their maneuvers in secrecy

When can disguise be used instead of mask?

The words disguise and mask can be used in similar contexts, but disguise implies a change in appearance or behavior that misleads by presenting a different apparent identity.

disguised herself as a peasant

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 mask
Noun
After a treacherous night in which Daryl had to remove a piece of metal from Carol’s shoulder and the boat was ransacked by equestrians in bull-horn masks, the twosome put the walking back in The Walking Dead. Charlie Mason, TVLine, 7 Sep. 2025 The aforementioned masks, for instance, hasten strange visions for Blakey, but the film’s hard boundary between his dreams and waking life sap these sequences of all tension. Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
The back of his head and shoulders are additionally covered by the shade, masking his appearance even more. Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025 Hoffman makes Ari all zingers and bluster, clearly masking an internal roiling in his brain, while Feldman has mastered the tightly wound nerd. Esther Zuckerman, IndieWire, 7 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mask
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mask
Noun
  • Visit Party City's website to browse balloons, decor, costumes, and more, then choose on-demand delivery via DoorDash.
    Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Carpenter, who started out in what appeared to be a silver, sparkly, fringe dress before a quick costume change, delivered an energetic performance that also contained a message.
    Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Dockery wore a ​​white satin dress by Emilia Wickstead and a tulle veil for their nuptials, while Waller-Bridge opted for a navy blue suit.
    Ariana Quihuiz, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Complications ensue and, hidden by a big veil, Ziva steps in as the pretend bride to keep the trap alive.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Was Barron there, but just really good at disguising his six-foot-seven frame?
    Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Try bicycles for more exercise disguised as fun, then saunter over to Spa La Quinta’s 23,000 square feet of bliss.
    Jenny Peters, Oc Register, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The student allegedly admitted to taking the gun on Sunday while his uncle was in the shower and then bringing it onto the bus concealed in his pocket, according to the affidavit.
    Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2025
  • She is charged with abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant, the Lexington Police Department said in a news release.
    Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • While Sinner only survived by the skin of his teeth at SW19 after Grigor Dimitrov retired hurt at two sets up in their last 16 clash, Alcaraz has been wearing an invincibility cloak for the 15 days of the main draw at Flushing Meadows.
    Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Bats don’t just sneak under the cloak of night, evading the human eye.
    Calista Oetama, Sacbee.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Explosive devices can be unpredictable, easily triggered, hard to detect or camouflaged.
    Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025
  • For older water stains or for camouflaging other stains, Mock advises following a process that aims to blend the stain with the surrounding area, as lifting the stain entirely isn’t possible without discoloring the leather.
    Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 13 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • In corroborating much of the testimony Pentagon intelligence official David Grusch offered in July 2023, Elizondo also accused the Department of Defense of hiding its UFO programs from Congress while misappropriating funds to operate them.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Coel, the boundary-pushing revelation from I May Destroy You, is a perfect foil, hiding Lori’s feelings behind her deadpan delivery, unblinking sphinx-like stare and wary body language but poised to shoot barbs when the moment calls for them.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Moraes developed computer models to simulate draping a sheet on both a 3D human form and a bas-relief carving to test which version most closely matched the figure preserved in the shroud.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 31 Aug. 2025
  • Next, unwrap your headless body from its shroud.
    Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 27 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Mask.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mask. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.

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