1
2
as in veils
something that covers or conceals like a piece of cloth
his unexpected friendliness is just a mask, for he always has an ulterior motive
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in disguises
to change the dress or looks of so as to conceal true identity
the federal agents masked their surveillance vehicle so that it looked like an ordinary moving van
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hides
to keep secret or shut off from view
masked his real motives for wanting to see the house that was for sale
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 masks
Megan McIntyre, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
Responding to Immigration and Customs Enforcement Senate Bill 627 would prohibit law enforcement on the local, state and federal level from wearing masks that conceal their identity in the course of duty.
—Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 15 Sep. 2025
The mom-killing and dressing up in her clothes, the wearing skinsuits and masks (this also inspired Texas Chainsaw Massacre), Gein’s influence is widespread in the horror film industry, behind some of the most classic genre entries of all time.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
In an interview in June with the Tennessee Holler, Newsom acknowledged that there were issues related to officers' safety in certain circumstances that might require masks.
—Robert Birsel, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
An initial investigation revealed that five suspects — at least two armed with guns and some wearing masks — entered the business and attempted to rob two employees, who exchanged gunfire with the suspects, authorities said.
—Jason Green, Mercury News, 11 Sep. 2025
Experts argue that developing sustainable alternatives, such as reusable masks made from biodegradable materials, should be a priority.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 8 Sep. 2025
Agents dressed in black, with masks covering their faces, stood in formation on the tarmac.
—Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
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
Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 15 Sep. 2025
The humor barely masks his fear.
—Jp Mangalindan, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
Coel gets her moments to assert her character, a smooth operator who masks a surprising sentimental streak.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2025
What is framed as independence often masks a deeper vulnerability.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2025
When planetary scientists say the interior of Mars resembles a rocky road brownie more than a piece of buttery shortbread, the tasty metaphor masks billions of years of geological violence.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 28 Aug. 2025
The initial euphoria of rate reductions masks significant challenges in achieving meaningful returns through traditional bond allocations.
—Elie Nour, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Noun
And when the hydration from masks, oils, and butters isn’t cutting it, there’s steaming, something curly hair girls already know very well, says Kiana Rae Brown, a curly hair specialist and owner of West Coast Curls Salon in Los Angeles.
—Megan McIntyre, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
Responding to Immigration and Customs Enforcement Senate Bill 627 would prohibit law enforcement on the local, state and federal level from wearing masks that conceal their identity in the course of duty.
—Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 15 Sep. 2025
The mom-killing and dressing up in her clothes, the wearing skinsuits and masks (this also inspired Texas Chainsaw Massacre), Gein’s influence is widespread in the horror film industry, behind some of the most classic genre entries of all time.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
In an interview in June with the Tennessee Holler, Newsom acknowledged that there were issues related to officers' safety in certain circumstances that might require masks.
—Robert Birsel, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
An initial investigation revealed that five suspects — at least two armed with guns and some wearing masks — entered the business and attempted to rob two employees, who exchanged gunfire with the suspects, authorities said.
—Jason Green, Mercury News, 11 Sep. 2025
Experts argue that developing sustainable alternatives, such as reusable masks made from biodegradable materials, should be a priority.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 8 Sep. 2025
Agents dressed in black, with masks covering their faces, stood in formation on the tarmac.
—Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
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
Verb
That average fee, however, masks a wide variation.
—Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 15 Sep. 2025
The humor barely masks his fear.
—Jp Mangalindan, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
Coel gets her moments to assert her character, a smooth operator who masks a surprising sentimental streak.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2025
What is framed as independence often masks a deeper vulnerability.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2025
When planetary scientists say the interior of Mars resembles a rocky road brownie more than a piece of buttery shortbread, the tasty metaphor masks billions of years of geological violence.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 28 Aug. 2025
The initial euphoria of rate reductions masks significant challenges in achieving meaningful returns through traditional bond allocations.
—Elie Nour, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for masks
Noun
-
The show, known for its Emmy Award winning costumes, was quick to help conceal Coon’s pregnancy without stooping to TV gimmicks.—
Avalon Hester,
PEOPLE,
12 Sep. 2025
-
The ten day adult party is a true Key West creative explosion, featuring a marathon of parties, parades, handmade costumes, headdresses, street fair food, and tropical island energy.—
Kelsey Glennon,
Southern Living,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The above-and-beyond production design and costumes are filled with both period-appropriate lushness and totally idiosyncratic touches, like sarcophagi that showcase the naked faces of the dead and several flowing gowns that resemble full-length veils.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
9 Sep. 2025
-
One through line between the films and the series are the headdresses, veils and hair jewelry.—
Rachel Elspeth Gross,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Viola disguises herself as a boy named Cesario and becomes a servant to Duke Orsino (Khris Davis).—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
24 Aug. 2025
-
Denzel plays the earnest private with a secret with a smart, eager-to-please manner that disguises the cunning and danger underneath.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Safari now hides all data that third-party snoopers can use to detect your digital fingerprint.—
Edward Mendelson,
PC Magazine,
15 Sep. 2025
-
But outside of the ring, Christy hides and represses her lesbianism and winds up marrying her trainer Jim Martin (Ben Foster), who manipulates and physically abuses her.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
While invisibility cloaks are a gee-whiz application, metamaterials now offer real-world commercial applications such as new antenna technologies for mobile phones.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
7 Dec. 2018
Verb
-
Guests arrive via a winding, jungle-like path that conceals the building from view until the final turn, when the view suddenly opens to a giant round portico, four stories high and 120 feet across that appears to float despite its 3,000-ton weight.—
Katharina Kotrba,
Forbes.com,
24 Aug. 2025
-
Find those iconic horses emblazoned in silver onto the oakwood base of their Dry Air Diffuser, which conceals a discrete fan and ventilation system.—
Austa Somvichian-Clausen,
Robb Report,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Smoke from western wildfires shrouds downtown buildings with the Cheyenne Mountain in the background on August 12 in Colorado Springs.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Aug. 2025
-
The plastic bodywork has been sharpened all around, too, with the tank shrouds now reaching the front forks.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The delicate curtain slightly obscures a digital color photograph of a drawing by a museum employee reimagining Picasso’s painting.—
Natasha Gural,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Relatively high coverage at the national and state levels obscures the fact that in some local areas, vaccine coverage is low due to high numbers of exemptions, putting clusters of children at greater risk of disease.—
Simon Williams,
Time,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Masks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/masks. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share