DISGUISE Synonyms: 155 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

disguise 1 of 2

noun

Definition of disguise

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

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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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

disguise

2 of 2

verb

də-ˈskīz

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

Flores is writing new code on how to build a formidable defense, one that disguises blitzes that apply pressure from all angles. — Miami Herald, 29 Sep. 2026 The lightweight cream disguises dark circles, redness, blemishes, and uneven tone, melting in seamlessly enough to blend across larger areas in place of foundation. — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 18 Sep. 2026

Verb

According to a Reuters investigation, Demir discovered what appeared to be malicious code disguised as a legitimate software update. — Carlo Tortora Brayda, Forbes.com, 28 Sep. 2026 From classic rings to elaborate creations, here are five doughnut shops around metro Atlanta giving us an excuse to have dessert disguised as breakfast. — Lia Picard, AJC.com, 27 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for disguise

Recent Examples of Synonyms for disguise

Noun

The series puts an all-Korean cast in Western Baroque costume and was shot largely in Europe.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026
Have your camera ready when arriving or departing, as the staff usually perform an entertaining song and dance in traditional costumes.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of costume

Noun

But unlike Backrooms, SCP Foundation has always been more centralized to this one website, and every subsequent SCP Foundation work has always fallen under the guise of the Creative Commons license, something the Backrooms creepypasta never did.

— Brian Welk, IndieWire, 24 Sep. 2026
As critics such as Antonio Candido have remarked, regionalism was at bottom an attempt to render Latin American reality in its dominant rural guise.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of guise

Verb

Rather than always keeping her baby bumps concealed or camouflaged, the hitmaker embraced bold colors and cutouts that made her belly a focal point.

— Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 2 Oct. 2026
In Tech Reviews Science Entertainment AI Policy If a data center is camouflaged in the woods, will anyone hate it?

— Justine Calma, The Verge, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of camouflage

Verb

According to prosecutors, Ramirez, Niembro and others concealed from Nodus board members, executives and Puerto Rico banking regulators that investments and loans made by the institution benefited Ramirez and Niembro themselves.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2026
The tax evasion charge involved concealing income and filing false tax returns for that year, according to the indictment.

— Christopher Harris, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of conceal

Noun

Face masks were distributed to local kindergartens, and mandatory mask mandates were slapped on workers at the nearby Irkutsk Aluminum Plant.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026
An aluminum plant near the laboratory instructed staff to wear masks as a precautionary measure.

— Tim Lister, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of mask

Noun

After slogans criticizing the Sacramento State administration appeared in chalk on the facade of a 64-year-old campus building earlier this week, at least one student is now facing potential disciplinary action.

— Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026
Roses and a soft orange nod to the way light catches on its facades.

— Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of facade

Verb

Rhys-Davies is the archangel Raphael, who hides the star’s light inside her heart, and Boneta is Joshua, a stranger with a difficult history who goes on the run with her.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
Measure your numbers, work with a clinician and stop treating hormone health as something to hide.

— Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of hide

Verb

Writers would deliberately distort certain letters to convey their identities to close confidantes and obscure them from others.

— Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2026
Indeed, the whole point of lethal injection is to obscure the violence of the state taking a human life.

— Maya Foa, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of obscure

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disgruntling

disguise

disguised

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“Disguise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disguise. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of disguise

noun

verb

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