mask 1 of 2

1
as in costume
a cover or partial cover for the face used to disguise oneself an elaborate mask that would be suitable for a fancy masquerade ball

Synonyms & Similar Words

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mask

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb mask differ from other similar words?

The words cloak and disguise are common synonyms of mask. While all three words mean "to alter the dress or appearance of so as to conceal the identity or true nature," mask suggests some often obvious means of hiding or disguising something.

smiling to mask his discontent

When is cloak a more appropriate choice than mask?

Although the words cloak and mask have much in common, cloak suggests a means of hiding a movement or an intention.

cloaked their maneuvers in secrecy

When can disguise be used instead of mask?

The words disguise and mask can be used in similar contexts, but disguise implies a change in appearance or behavior that misleads by presenting a different apparent identity.

disguised herself as a peasant

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 mask
Noun
Each mask is made with 95 percent Snail Secretion Filtrate, or Snail Mucin. Alyssa Grabinski, People.com, 5 June 2025 Photo by Zhu Ziyu/VCG via AP Trump has demanded sweeping reforms such as ending its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, reforming student discipline policies, and implementing a mask ban. Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025
Verb
Declining deaths may also mask tragic underlying dynamics. Lois Parshley, Scientific American, 5 June 2025 But glaciers can take years, even centuries, to stabilize after the climate has changed, meaning that the true effect of rising temperatures can be masked for years, too. Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 2 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for mask
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mask
Noun
  • So in my grandparents’ home, my maternal grandparents' home, there were incredible costume designs.
    Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • Toby Jones, Stephen Frears, Christopher Hampton and costume designer Jany Temime have been unveiled as honorees of the SCAD Lacoste Film Festival in France’s Provence region later this month.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 9 June 2025
Noun
  • The film further lifts the veil on the artist’s influence, as a variable smorgasbord of talent converges throughout to deconstruct the impact of his life, art, his curious process and disposition.
    Holly Jones, Variety, 9 June 2025
  • This mistake of not tackling law, tax and financial decisions in a unified manner results in the corporate veil being pierced, personal assets being liquidated, and even bankruptcies and liquidations.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
Verb
  • Across the dial, opinions differed, but the tone was the same: vitriol disguised as debate.
    Sabrina L. Schaeffer, National Review, 7 June 2025
  • Pham and an associate disguised the funds’ source by writing checks to a Westminster air conditioning company that then issued checks to Pham, his associate and one of Do’s daughters.
    Michael Slaten, Oc Register, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • Millions of low-cost devices for media streaming, in-vehicle entertainment, and video projection are infected with malware that turns consumer networks into platforms for distributing malware, concealing nefarious communications, and performing other illicit activities, the FBI has warned.
    Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 6 June 2025
  • On December 27, 1908, Boy Staunton (a literal boy, double-underlining Davies’s interest in archetypes) throws a snowball with a stone concealed in it at his friend Duncan.
    Casey Cep, New Yorker, 6 June 2025
Noun
  • The carving shows a woman standing with hands clasped in prayer, in a cloak covered in stars.
    Anna Ortiz, Chicago Tribune, 31 May 2025
  • Will both big-budget tentpoles fare better in winter cloaks?
    Jeff Spry, Space.com, 25 May 2025
Verb
  • Still, these bras were comfortable, durable, and camouflaged well underneath clothes.
    Michelle Rostamian, People.com, 22 May 2025
  • The short video shows a man and woman gliding across calm water on a paddleboard when an alligator, camouflaged along the bank, suddenly slips into the water just feet away.
    Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
Verb
  • The idea is simple: guests hide small rubber ducks around the ship for others to find.
    David Nikel, Forbes.com, 14 June 2025
  • Tree rings hide a record of supernova explosions First off, Brakenridge turned to data from a range of powerful space telescopes, which have long been collecting data about the characteristics of supernovas.
    Robert Lea, Space.com, 13 June 2025
Noun
  • For a crop of ambitious Democrats, the shroud of secrecy surrounding former President Joe Biden’s health has become an opportunity to break with party leadership.
    Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 24 May 2025
  • One of her sons, 11-year-old Yusuf, his head heavily bandaged, screamed in grief as the shroud of his younger sibling was parted to show his face.
    Mohammad Jahjouh, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Mask.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mask. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.

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