mas·quer·ade
ˌma-skə-ˈrād 
1
a
: a social gathering of persons wearing masks and often fantastic costumes
b
: a costume for wear at such a gathering
2
: an action or appearance that is mere disguise or show
masqueraded; masquerading
1
a
: to disguise oneself
also
: to go about disguised
b
: to take part in a masquerade
2
: to assume the appearance of something one is not
masquerader
noun
Synonyms
Examples of masquerade in a Sentence
Noun
She could not keep up the masquerade any longer.
although she was deeply bored, she maintained a masquerade of polite interest as her guest droned on
Verb
He was masquerading under a false name.
Recent Examples on the Web
Carol McColgin, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Mar. 2024
Venice is the inspiration behind the indoor and outdoor areas, including the atrium, modeled after Piazza San Marco, and the Carnevale Lounge, inspired by Venetian masquerades.
—Megan Dubois, Travel + Leisure, 21 Mar. 2024
Hosted each November by Friends of Culture, travel to the Caribbean islands through colorful and feather-filled masquerade costumes, delightful cuisine, dance, and music.
—Ronny Maye, Essence, 12 Feb. 2024
Whether your ancestors were the soldiers or members of society in the homeland reaping benefits, this masquerade of modernization supported generations of the colonizing country’s communities forming what is often referred to now as the colonial mind.
—Philip Wolf, Rolling Stone, 31 Jan. 2024
In the spirit of the masquerade, the Gould pseudonym adds to the allure of mystery – and the joy of discovery.
—Max Chapnick, The Conversation, 7 Dec. 2023
The city enforced a law banning masks after concerns of Black people anonymously sneaking into white masquerade balls.
—Cierra Chenier, Essence, 12 Feb. 2024
Femininity was understood to be a cultural construct, a masquerade, and Sherman’s photographs were considered exemplary of this turn.
—Nancy Princenthal, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2024
Jab Jab The Jab Jab masquerade is associated with resistance and freedom.
—Melissa Noel, Essence, 13 Feb. 2024
Ari Herstand, Variety, 9 Apr. 2024
Or an economic development plan masquerading as flood control to tap federal money?
—Luke Ranker, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Apr. 2024
The hacked Mandiant account was initially used to masquerade as one belonging to Phantom, a company that offers a wallet for storing cryptocurrency.
—Andrew Cunningham, Ars Technica, 4 Jan. 2024
An attacker could masquerade as anyone, even as an official from special services, to obtain critical information.
—David Balaban, Forbes, 18 Feb. 2024
But it’s become obvious that the Dodgers way isn’t the right way, cubic zirconia masquerading as diamond.
—Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Dec. 2023
Young men dabbling in revolutionary politics and a photographer with a bent for blackmail add complexity to the plot, as do a pair of foxes who masquerade as attractive gentlemen.
—Alida Becker, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2024
This stubbornness, masquerading under the pretense of civic duty, stands in stark, almost jarring contrast to the forward-thinking pragmatism that is indispensably needed for a meaningful and enduring urban transformation.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 19 Jan. 2024
The country singer gained a new generation of fans as Robby Ray Stewart, father of his daughter's Miley Stewart, a global pop star masquerading as a regular teenager residing in Malibu, on the teen series that ran between 2006 and 2011.
—EW.com, 8 Feb. 2024
Noun
For Moore’s Feud: Capote vs. The Swans premiere in New York City, the invite called for black-and-white chic inspired by Truman Capote’s 1966 masquerade ball.
—Carol McColgin, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Mar. 2024
Venice is the inspiration behind the indoor and outdoor areas, including the atrium, modeled after Piazza San Marco, and the Carnevale Lounge, inspired by Venetian masquerades.
—Megan Dubois, Travel + Leisure, 21 Mar. 2024
Hosted each November by Friends of Culture, travel to the Caribbean islands through colorful and feather-filled masquerade costumes, delightful cuisine, dance, and music.
—Ronny Maye, Essence, 12 Feb. 2024
Whether your ancestors were the soldiers or members of society in the homeland reaping benefits, this masquerade of modernization supported generations of the colonizing country’s communities forming what is often referred to now as the colonial mind.
—Philip Wolf, Rolling Stone, 31 Jan. 2024
In the spirit of the masquerade, the Gould pseudonym adds to the allure of mystery – and the joy of discovery.
—Max Chapnick, The Conversation, 7 Dec. 2023
The city enforced a law banning masks after concerns of Black people anonymously sneaking into white masquerade balls.
—Cierra Chenier, Essence, 12 Feb. 2024
Femininity was understood to be a cultural construct, a masquerade, and Sherman’s photographs were considered exemplary of this turn.
—Nancy Princenthal, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2024
Jab Jab The Jab Jab masquerade is associated with resistance and freedom.
—Melissa Noel, Essence, 13 Feb. 2024
Verb
Despite best efforts, some legitimate artists have become victims of malicious streaming fraud or been taken advantage of by fraudsters masquerading as digital marketing or promotional companies.
—Ari Herstand, Variety, 9 Apr. 2024
Or an economic development plan masquerading as flood control to tap federal money?
—Luke Ranker, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Apr. 2024
The hacked Mandiant account was initially used to masquerade as one belonging to Phantom, a company that offers a wallet for storing cryptocurrency.
—Andrew Cunningham, Ars Technica, 4 Jan. 2024
An attacker could masquerade as anyone, even as an official from special services, to obtain critical information.
—David Balaban, Forbes, 18 Feb. 2024
But it’s become obvious that the Dodgers way isn’t the right way, cubic zirconia masquerading as diamond.
—Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Dec. 2023
Young men dabbling in revolutionary politics and a photographer with a bent for blackmail add complexity to the plot, as do a pair of foxes who masquerade as attractive gentlemen.
—Alida Becker, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2024
This stubbornness, masquerading under the pretense of civic duty, stands in stark, almost jarring contrast to the forward-thinking pragmatism that is indispensably needed for a meaningful and enduring urban transformation.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 19 Jan. 2024
The country singer gained a new generation of fans as Robby Ray Stewart, father of his daughter's Miley Stewart, a global pop star masquerading as a regular teenager residing in Malibu, on the teen series that ran between 2006 and 2011.
—EW.com, 8 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'masquerade.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near masquerade
Cite this Entry
“Masquerade.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/masquerade. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
masquerade
1 of 2 noun
mas·quer·ade
ˌmas-kə-ˈrād
1
: a party (as a dance) at which people wear masks and often fantastic costumes
2
: an action or appearance that is only a disguise or outward show : pose
masquerade
2 of 2 verb
masqueraded; masquerading
1
: to take part in a masquerade
2
: to assume the appearance of something one is not : pose
masquerader
noun
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