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
Relevance
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
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 costumes
Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 14 Feb. 2026
Most musicals are known for their songs, dances, and costumes, but the show at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts right now has some amazing acrobatics as well.
—Laura Phillips, CBS News, 14 Feb. 2026
And Bina Daigeler’s costumes are a hoot, ostentatiously fashionable and expensive and sexy.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 14 Feb. 2026
Within a year, some of the country's top stars living in or near Los Angeles, home to multiple high-level skating coaches, were competing in her costumes.
—Megan Sauer, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2026
From the whitewashing controversy to the toxic love to the daring costumes, the discourse is going to be discoursing.
—Kathleen Newman-Bremang, Refinery29, 13 Feb. 2026
Streisand’s red carpet moment and costumes continue to inspire the runway.
—Tonya Blazio-Licorish, Footwear News, 13 Feb. 2026
The third—for use on T-shirts, hats, costumes and other apparel—is currently in a 30-day period of public review.
—Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 13 Feb. 2026
DiMeo said the business relies a lot on customers wearing the costumes on the slopes to entice sales.
—Max Scheinblum, Denver Post, 7 Feb. 2026
Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 7 Jan. 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
See Halloween costumes through the decades.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 17 Oct. 2025
These Halloween costumes for kids are all under $45.
—Katrina Cossey, Parents, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
This is due not only to how Mihai and cinematographer Marius Panduru control the frame’s chaotic movement, but to the realism with which the entire production is rendered, from the designs of its costumes and spaces, to the performances that sit effortlessly between naturalistic and symbolic.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 14 Feb. 2026
Most musicals are known for their songs, dances, and costumes, but the show at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts right now has some amazing acrobatics as well.
—Laura Phillips, CBS News, 14 Feb. 2026
And Bina Daigeler’s costumes are a hoot, ostentatiously fashionable and expensive and sexy.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 14 Feb. 2026
Within a year, some of the country's top stars living in or near Los Angeles, home to multiple high-level skating coaches, were competing in her costumes.
—Megan Sauer, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2026
From the whitewashing controversy to the toxic love to the daring costumes, the discourse is going to be discoursing.
—Kathleen Newman-Bremang, Refinery29, 13 Feb. 2026
Streisand’s red carpet moment and costumes continue to inspire the runway.
—Tonya Blazio-Licorish, Footwear News, 13 Feb. 2026
The third—for use on T-shirts, hats, costumes and other apparel—is currently in a 30-day period of public review.
—Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 13 Feb. 2026
DiMeo said the business relies a lot on customers wearing the costumes on the slopes to entice sales.
—Max Scheinblum, Denver Post, 7 Feb. 2026
Verb
In it, Oldham costumes up as a shaggy woodland monster, which—after a more nimble inhabitant seemingly swaps into the outfit—proceeds to engage a human in an elaborate dance routine.
—Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 7 Jan. 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
See Halloween costumes through the decades.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 17 Oct. 2025
These Halloween costumes for kids are all under $45.
—Katrina Cossey, Parents, 1 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for costumes
Noun
-
There will also be cover-ups, beach button downs, beach shorts and midi dresses.—
Lisa Lockwood,
Footwear News,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Rocorose Turtleneck Ribbed Knit Sweater Dress Sweater dresses aren’t reserved just for winter.—
Lane Nieset,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Among their demands were requiring agents to remove masks, wear body cameras and obtain judicial warrants before entering private property, according to The Associated Press.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Her daughter's voice was likely cloned with an AI tool that creates convincing voice replicas and easily masks identities.—
Molly McCrea,
CBS News,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
From plane-ready outfits and supportive shoes built for long sightseeing days to chic luggage, must-have travel bags, and tech that keeps everything charged, tracked, and stress-free, this sale covers every corner of your packing list.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Feb. 2026
-
But that doesn’t mean the outfits aren’t also forward-looking in terms of what’s trending for 2026.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Glamour,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Costumes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/costumes. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
