1
as in dresses
clothing chosen as appropriate for a specific situation
a tuxedo is the only acceptable costume for men attending a formal event
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in masks
clothing put on to hide one's true identity or imitate someone or something else
Halloween costumes that caricature some of the "celebrities" created by the media over the past year
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in clothes
to outfit with clothes and especially fine or special clothes
the days when people, costumed in their Sunday best, would parade along the grand avenue on Easter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of costumes
ABC News, 16 May 2026
Rivers Comicon gives fans the chance to don their favorite costumes, connect with fellow nerds and meet the creators of beloved comic books.
—Finch Walker, USA Today, 15 May 2026
The festival also features a Junkanoo Parade, which features street performance filled with vibrant costumes, rhythmic drumming, horns, and cowbells.
—Taryn White, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
The clip showed Shirilla and two friends on Halloween, shortly before she was charged, dressed in costumes and horror-style makeup.
—Nicole Acosta, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026
On loan from Jewish Museum Milwaukee, this exhibition explores the Red Scare and the Hollywood blacklist through film, personal narratives, artifacts, costumes and photography.
—Washington Post Staff, Washington Post, 15 May 2026
Many of the looks on display come from a collection of around 1,500 fashion objects and historical costumes from two Swiss collectors, Martin Kamer and Wolfgang Ruf, that the KGM acquired in 2003; Kamer was a costume designer and Ruf ran a gallery trading historical textiles.
—Cathrin Schaer, Footwear News, 14 May 2026
In addition to performing in multiple theatrical productions for Fullerton Union High and Messiah Fine Arts Ministry, Calvo served on technical crews doing costumes, hair and makeup.
—Theresa Walker, Oc Register, 14 May 2026
Angela Balogh Calin’s costumes prepare the way for Ionesco’s prankish jokes.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
Literary Hub, 9 Apr. 2026
To make that medicine go down easier, RAYE costumes her fatalism in a baroque maximalism.
—Boutayna Chokrane, Pitchfork, 2 Apr. 2026
It is celebrated with a ceremonious parade that features a cavalcade of men dressed in Roman soldier costumes, evoking a sense of solemn thanksgiving and spiritual devotion.
—Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Mar. 2026
The room houses costumes for performances for the entire year, and there are about 40 years of costumes in the room.
—Najahe Sherman, CBS News, 22 Dec. 2025
The company brought its famous mascot — the beloved Morton Salt Girl, who every year inspires who knows how many Halloween costumes.
—Kansas City Star, 13 Nov. 2025
Those costumes from the original Broadway production, including the Schuyler sisters’ winter ball gowns, Hamilton, Jefferson and Burr’s suits, as well as King George’s outfit, are all featured among the exhibit, too.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 5 Nov. 2025
Here are five tips for creating last-minute DIY KPop Demon Hunters Halloween costumes.
—Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Party City Halloween costumes 2025 Customers can shop for the family or office party in a few clicks and have orders delivered through DoorDash.
—Cheryl V. Jackson, IndyStar, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
Laamb is unique for its spectacle, featuring elaborate costumes, protective charms, and rituals.
—ABC News, 16 May 2026
Rivers Comicon gives fans the chance to don their favorite costumes, connect with fellow nerds and meet the creators of beloved comic books.
—Finch Walker, USA Today, 15 May 2026
The festival also features a Junkanoo Parade, which features street performance filled with vibrant costumes, rhythmic drumming, horns, and cowbells.
—Taryn White, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
The clip showed Shirilla and two friends on Halloween, shortly before she was charged, dressed in costumes and horror-style makeup.
—Nicole Acosta, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026
On loan from Jewish Museum Milwaukee, this exhibition explores the Red Scare and the Hollywood blacklist through film, personal narratives, artifacts, costumes and photography.
—Washington Post Staff, Washington Post, 15 May 2026
Many of the looks on display come from a collection of around 1,500 fashion objects and historical costumes from two Swiss collectors, Martin Kamer and Wolfgang Ruf, that the KGM acquired in 2003; Kamer was a costume designer and Ruf ran a gallery trading historical textiles.
—Cathrin Schaer, Footwear News, 14 May 2026
In addition to performing in multiple theatrical productions for Fullerton Union High and Messiah Fine Arts Ministry, Calvo served on technical crews doing costumes, hair and makeup.
—Theresa Walker, Oc Register, 14 May 2026
Angela Balogh Calin’s costumes prepare the way for Ionesco’s prankish jokes.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
Verb
The same girls who’d posted winking pop-culture-reference couples Halloween costumes a few years ago were now posting their toddlers in their own pop-culture-reference costumes.
—Literary Hub, 9 Apr. 2026
To make that medicine go down easier, RAYE costumes her fatalism in a baroque maximalism.
—Boutayna Chokrane, Pitchfork, 2 Apr. 2026
It is celebrated with a ceremonious parade that features a cavalcade of men dressed in Roman soldier costumes, evoking a sense of solemn thanksgiving and spiritual devotion.
—Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Mar. 2026
The room houses costumes for performances for the entire year, and there are about 40 years of costumes in the room.
—Najahe Sherman, CBS News, 22 Dec. 2025
The company brought its famous mascot — the beloved Morton Salt Girl, who every year inspires who knows how many Halloween costumes.
—Kansas City Star, 13 Nov. 2025
Those costumes from the original Broadway production, including the Schuyler sisters’ winter ball gowns, Hamilton, Jefferson and Burr’s suits, as well as King George’s outfit, are all featured among the exhibit, too.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 5 Nov. 2025
Here are five tips for creating last-minute DIY KPop Demon Hunters Halloween costumes.
—Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Party City Halloween costumes 2025 Customers can shop for the family or office party in a few clicks and have orders delivered through DoorDash.
—Cheryl V. Jackson, IndyStar, 22 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for costumes
Noun
-
From breezy linen pants to packable layers and day-to-night dresses, these pieces are designed to keep you cool and stylish on city breaks and tropical getaways alike.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
20 May 2026
-
Evangeline Designs made the 18 bridesmaid dresses in cornflower blue for Fury’s May 16 nuptials with Noah Price on the Isle of Man.—
Rosemary Feitelberg,
Footwear News,
20 May 2026
Noun
-
State legislation would also ban law enforcement from wearing masks on duty.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
16 May 2026
-
Given its high transmissibility, infectious disease experts recommend that healthcare workers dealing with Ebola patients wear head coverings, as well as goggles, masks or faceshields, gloves, gowns and even rubber boots.—
Sydney Lupkin,
NPR,
16 May 2026
Noun
-
Similar to the designer style, this bag has a suede finish, giving it a polished look that pairs well with both casual and dressier outfits.—
Rachel Trujillo,
PEOPLE,
14 May 2026
-
The Cannes Film Festival updated its dress code in 2025, prohibiting guests from showing nudity or wearing voluminous outfits on the red carpet.—
Renan Botelho,
Footwear News,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Costumes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/costumes. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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