1
as in disclosing
to make known (as information previously kept secret)
the killer's identity won't be unmasked until the season's final episode
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in exposing
to reveal the true nature of
unmasked the motives of the people advocating the sale of the publicly owned land
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unmasking
Demands include body cameras, unmasking agents and judicial warrants; Republicans resist unmasking, citing officer safety and harassment concerns.
—
Mary Clare Jalonick, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
By studying these distortions across large swathes of the universe, scientists can get closer to unmasking dark matter and its various hiding places.
—CBS News, 26 Jan. 2026
That momentary unmasking could give the immune system a chance to recognize the parasite and stop the invasion.
—Kwesi Akonu Adom Mensah Forson, The Conversation, 26 Jan. 2026
Yes, for the first time ever, one of the contestants is unmasking themself before the season even premieres, and taking viewers behind the scenes of their journey on the show.
—Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Dec. 2025
But Trump’s hot pursuit of immigrants in American cities requires an unmasking not only of ICE operatives, but of the flimsiness of his narrative.
—Time, 4 Dec. 2025
Several unmasking targets have been pro-MAGA accounts with large followings.
—Kevin Collier, NBC news, 25 Nov. 2025
The latest feature in the Scary Movie franchise is unmasking more of its cast.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 12 Nov. 2025
Inside Guadagnino’s world, the auteur is famously known for unmasking another side of a performer.
—Malik Peay, Essence, 9 Oct. 2025
Mary Clare Jalonick, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
By studying these distortions across large swathes of the universe, scientists can get closer to unmasking dark matter and its various hiding places.
—CBS News, 26 Jan. 2026
That momentary unmasking could give the immune system a chance to recognize the parasite and stop the invasion.
—Kwesi Akonu Adom Mensah Forson, The Conversation, 26 Jan. 2026
Yes, for the first time ever, one of the contestants is unmasking themself before the season even premieres, and taking viewers behind the scenes of their journey on the show.
—Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Dec. 2025
But Trump’s hot pursuit of immigrants in American cities requires an unmasking not only of ICE operatives, but of the flimsiness of his narrative.
—Time, 4 Dec. 2025
Several unmasking targets have been pro-MAGA accounts with large followings.
—Kevin Collier, NBC news, 25 Nov. 2025
The latest feature in the Scary Movie franchise is unmasking more of its cast.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 12 Nov. 2025
Inside Guadagnino’s world, the auteur is famously known for unmasking another side of a performer.
—Malik Peay, Essence, 9 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unmasking
Verb
-
Dating is the process of getting to know someone, and disclosing yourself to them is essential to establishing close bonds — and eventually, possibly, feelings of romantic love.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Callella has been arrested on suspicion of transmitting a demand for ransom in interstate commerce, and without disclosing his identity, utilizing a telecommunications device with the intent to abuse, threaten or harass a person.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Any involvement should focus on regulation, consumer protection, and understanding emerging technologies without exposing taxpayers to unnecessary risk.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Gradually exposing yourself to travel, starting with small trips, can help overcome anxiety long-term.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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OpenAI first released ChatGPT in late 2022, revealing the huge commercial potential of AI large language models that could help write emails and computer code and answer questions.—
Matt O'Brien,
Fortune,
13 Feb. 2026
-
The chitchat Dana makes with Emma about working through COVID is also revealing.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The Heat views its approach not as an unwillingness to adapt to the NBA’s new world free-agency-is-no-longer-a-thing ecosystem, but a preference to rely on uncovering gems in the draft process than relying on the randomness of the draft lottery.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
10 Feb. 2026
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Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar announced Monday that investigators made several arrests after uncovering and disrupting a murder-for-hire plot orchestrated inside the county jail, aimed at killing or intimidating a witness in an ongoing case.—
Raul Trey Lopez,
San Antonio Express-News,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In the simplest case, an unexpected reward (say, discovering some tasty fruit when hungry, or having someone attractive declare their love for you) causes a burst of dopamine release into a part of the basal ganglia known as the striatum—specifically, the nucleus accumbens.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Feb. 2026
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While the popularity of these app-blocking devices increases (Novelli said the company has sold more than 60,000), questions remain about their efficacy when the people who buy them are mainly discovering the devices through the internet—and talking about them on social media.—
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez,
Fortune,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The Chinese government reacted by telling Chinese citizens not to travel to Japan, threatening economic retaliation, and pulling the plug on meetings that were long planned, putting a pretty deep freeze on China-Japan relations.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
10 Feb. 2026
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After initially telling students and staff to stay indoors, Arlington ISD is now saying that folks are safe to go outside.—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unmasking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unmasking. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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