1
as in costumes
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
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2
as in guises
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
1
as in masks
to change the dress or looks of so as to conceal true identity
the spies disguised themselves as harmless tourists
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hides
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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of disguises
Ted Nguyen, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
The use of disguises or other misrepresentations by immigration authorities has drawn attention in recent months, after federal agents were seen posing as utility workers and other service employees in Minneapolis and elsewhere.
—Jake Offenhartz The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 27 Feb. 2026
From droppings-mimicking spiders in Borneo to a tiny gecko tucked under bark in India, these creatures have been quietly perfecting their disguises while science is only now catching up — one DNA barcode, one micro-CT scan at a time.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2026
Figaro disguises Almaviva as a drunken soldier, and later as a music teacher, to sneak into Barbaro’s home and secretly win Rosina’s hand before revealing his true identity.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
Coach Mike Macdonald is also a master at dialing up disguises and should be able to do so against a Patriots line that can be susceptible.
—Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 7 Feb. 2026
They were allegedly sent from California with $1,000 to purchase supplies for disguises, restraints and burglary tools.
—Louis Casiano , Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 5 Feb. 2026
One pattern rationalizes exploitation and disguises harm as the price of progress.
—Valerie L. Myers, The Conversation, 8 Jan. 2026
From the costume-picking process to the crazy disguises stars must wear off camera, keep scrolling for the wildest rules contestants on The Masked Singer must follow.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
Fiona Embleton, Glamour, 6 Mar. 2026
Shortly after arriving at the home just after midnight, Nelson downloaded a phone app that disguises the phone number of incoming calls.
—Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 27 Feb. 2026
But Rosina has also caught the eye of the wealthy bachelor Count Almaviva, who disguises himself as a poor student to serenade Rosina from the street outside Bartolo’s home in Seville.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026
This approach disguises the fact that your primary bedroom has two mattresses in it, while bringing in a dash of luxury.
—Michelle Mastro, The Spruce, 7 Feb. 2026
Destitute and determined not to become collateral damage, Rae disguises herself as a man and becomes employed at a squalid turpentine camp in Georgia named Swallow Hill.
—Amanda Favazza, Southern Living, 6 Feb. 2026
The defensiveness disguises the admission that With Heaven on Top does indeed boast a robust production, one teeming with horns and backing vocals, all set to a big beat designed to echo throughout the stadiums Bryan now headlines.
—Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Pitchfork, 13 Jan. 2026
That big picture also disguises some fascinating trends.
—Ian King, CNBC, 17 Dec. 2025
To do so, Charlotte disguises him as Leroy.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 8 Dec. 2025
Noun
Former Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia brought NFL disguises to an Ohio State defense that could have three defenders picked in the top 10 in this year’s draft.
—Ted Nguyen, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
The use of disguises or other misrepresentations by immigration authorities has drawn attention in recent months, after federal agents were seen posing as utility workers and other service employees in Minneapolis and elsewhere.
—Jake Offenhartz The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 27 Feb. 2026
From droppings-mimicking spiders in Borneo to a tiny gecko tucked under bark in India, these creatures have been quietly perfecting their disguises while science is only now catching up — one DNA barcode, one micro-CT scan at a time.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2026
Figaro disguises Almaviva as a drunken soldier, and later as a music teacher, to sneak into Barbaro’s home and secretly win Rosina’s hand before revealing his true identity.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
Coach Mike Macdonald is also a master at dialing up disguises and should be able to do so against a Patriots line that can be susceptible.
—Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 7 Feb. 2026
They were allegedly sent from California with $1,000 to purchase supplies for disguises, restraints and burglary tools.
—Louis Casiano , Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 5 Feb. 2026
One pattern rationalizes exploitation and disguises harm as the price of progress.
—Valerie L. Myers, The Conversation, 8 Jan. 2026
From the costume-picking process to the crazy disguises stars must wear off camera, keep scrolling for the wildest rules contestants on The Masked Singer must follow.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
Crafted into undone bends, the style disguises flyaways and limp ends.
—Fiona Embleton, Glamour, 6 Mar. 2026
Shortly after arriving at the home just after midnight, Nelson downloaded a phone app that disguises the phone number of incoming calls.
—Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 27 Feb. 2026
But Rosina has also caught the eye of the wealthy bachelor Count Almaviva, who disguises himself as a poor student to serenade Rosina from the street outside Bartolo’s home in Seville.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026
This approach disguises the fact that your primary bedroom has two mattresses in it, while bringing in a dash of luxury.
—Michelle Mastro, The Spruce, 7 Feb. 2026
Destitute and determined not to become collateral damage, Rae disguises herself as a man and becomes employed at a squalid turpentine camp in Georgia named Swallow Hill.
—Amanda Favazza, Southern Living, 6 Feb. 2026
The defensiveness disguises the admission that With Heaven on Top does indeed boast a robust production, one teeming with horns and backing vocals, all set to a big beat designed to echo throughout the stadiums Bryan now headlines.
—Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Pitchfork, 13 Jan. 2026
That big picture also disguises some fascinating trends.
—Ian King, CNBC, 17 Dec. 2025
To do so, Charlotte disguises him as Leroy.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 8 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disguises
Noun
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As a little girl, Alexa Ray Joel would slip into costumes handed over by supermodel mom Christie Brinkley, then prance around performing Disney musicals like Aladdin and The Little Mermaid.—
Leena Tailor,
HollywoodReporter,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Celebrities flaunt their singing abilities while disguised in increasingly elaborate costumes and masks.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
This moment will come in many guises.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Both marques returned to the competition this year in new guises.—
Viju Mathew,
Robb Report,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The smell masks the insects’ chemical signals, confusing the aphids and affecting their ability to find food.—
Michelle Mastro,
Martha Stewart,
7 Mar. 2026
-
The headline performance masks some major swings beneath the surface.—
Morgan Chittum,
CNBC,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Even that comparison hides a lot of pain headed for retirees under current law, Smetters said.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
19 Mar. 2026
-
This information is conveyed by a hilariously avant-garde Poulter, playing the store’s manager, who dyes his hair to match each monochromatic scheme and hides his nefariousness behind a company policy that requires techno music to be played at maximum volume at all times.—
Jada Yuan,
Vulture,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Via Mormino Penna is one of Sicily’s most theatrical streetscapes, lined with facades adorned with apotropaic masks, grotesque faces meant to ward off evil.—
Jenn Rice,
Vogue,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Gary Broadway Main Street’s next steps include working with existing businesses to help update facades, Robinson said, and the organization has available funding for those businesses.—
Maya Wilkins,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Segel makes Dan a bitterly perceptive geek, out of his depth but eager to prove himself, while Weaving invests Lisa with a snappishness that only camouflages her pain.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Irving used a durable Dekton countertop and Brown Jordan cabinetry that conceals appliances and stands up to the elements, as well as flexible seating arrangements and discreet storage to keep pillows and furniture covers tucked safely away.—
Megan Johnson,
Architectural Digest,
12 Mar. 2026
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But the late-Baroque facade of the building conceals a special, darker history, one that reflects persistent political and legal problems for the bank thousands of miles away, in the US.—
Hugo Miller,
Bloomberg,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The adults were arrested on suspicion of theft from an elder, theft by false pretenses, conspiracy, contracting without a license and other offenses.—
Tim Fang,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Yet even as Starbucks attempts to refocus on coffee by moving away from desserts masquerading as drinks, newer chains are making no pretenses about selling beverages that can easily tide someone over through a mealtime or two.—
Yasmin Tayag,
The Atlantic,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Disguises.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disguises. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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