mask 1 of 2

noun

ˈmask How to pronounce mask (audio)
Definition of masknext
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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2
as in veil
something that covers or conceals like a piece of cloth his unexpected friendliness is just a mask, for he always has an ulterior motive

Synonyms & Similar Words

mask

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to disguise
to change the dress or looks of so as to conceal true identity the federal agents masked their surveillance vehicle so that it looked like an ordinary moving van

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to conceal
to keep secret or shut off from view masked his real motives for wanting to see the house that was for sale

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
With over 19,000 posts using the hashtag #topicals on TikTok, creators are wearing the under eye masks as a must-have beauty accessory in a number of the videos. — India Espy-Jones, Essence, 13 Mar. 2025 The gunman, who was wearing a black mask and black sweatshirt, has not been caught. — Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 13 Mar. 2025
Verb
Noise can disrupt your sleep, but the Soundcore A20 Sleep Earbuds have a 4-point noise masking system, along with twin-seal ear tips, passive noise blocking, and smart volume control. — Terri Williams, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025 Arakawa took measures like masking to ensure her husband wouldn’t get sick. — Dalia Faheid, CNN, 8 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mask
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mask
  1. costume
  2. veil
  3. disguise
  4. conceal
  5. cloak
  6. camouflage
  7. hide
  8. shroud
Noun
  • In July 2024 fans noticed that the black-and-gold costume Swift wore for an Eras Tour show in Milan was very Reputation-coded.
    — Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 18 Mar. 2025
  • In juxtaposition to Edna’s blue clown costume, Paul wears a red-plaid jacket, one of the first visual choices Harman landed on.
    — Matt Minton, Variety, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of costume
Noun
  • Even the nuns’ attire had progressed past ultra-conservative frocks and full-coverage veils.
    — Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 14 Mar. 2025
  • The visuals are soft and cloudy, as if blanketed by a gossamer veil, and movement between scenes possess a feathery quality (editing is by Garret Elkins).
    — Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of veil
Verb
  • Some Tesla owners have reported their cars being vandalized, while other embarrassed drivers have even tried to disguise their cars as models by other manufacturers.
    — Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Harwell disguised her self-payments as refunds, but auditors noticed these negative transactions only happened during her weekend shifts, according to police.
    — Olivia Lloyd, Miami Herald, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of disguise
Verb
  • In July 2024, a judge threw out the involuntary manslaughter case against Baldwin with prejudice after the actor's lead attorney, Alex Spiro, argued that prosecutors had concealed evidence of ammunition that may have been linked to the fatal shooting.
    — Rachel Brodsky, TIME, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Dark Empaths can grasp the subtleties of human behavior and use that insight to conceal their shortcomings behind a brash level of confidence.
    — Dan Pontefract, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of conceal
Noun
  • High Fashion Rose Byrne gives us a cloak moment at the premiere of Blue Moon during Berlinale on Feb. 18 in Berlin. City Nights James Marsden celebrates the premiere of Zero Day on Feb. 18 in New York City.
    — Alexandra Schonfeld, People.com, 21 Feb. 2025
  • The show’s iconic red cloak first made its debut back in April 2017 in season one and has since become a global sign of protest in the fight for women’s rights worldwide.
    — Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Feb. 2025
Definition of cloak
Verb
  • It is believed they are drawn to these smells to claim their territory or camouflage their scent, which dogs often do by rolling around near the odor.
    — Dan Perry, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
  • The octopus, with dexterous arms and camouflaging abilities, excels at extracting prey from crevices and hiding spots, commonly using a technique called a web-over.
    — Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 3 Feb. 2025
Definition of camouflage
Verb
  • The ancient springhead, natural waterpark, and retro roadside attraction has more than a few secrets hidden in its eelgrass.
    — Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 22 Mar. 2025
  • Applied to animation, AI tools are a little better hidden and do seem to be a more natural extension of traditional CGI, itself an advancement of 2D animation.
    — Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of hide
Noun
  • There was definitely a shroud of secrecy around them.
    — Lynette Rice, Deadline, 26 Feb. 2025
  • For weeks, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has operated under a shroud of mystery.
    — Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2025
Definition of shroud

Browse Nearby Words

mashing
mask
masked
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Cite this Entry

“Mask.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mask. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on mask

Nglish: Translation of mask for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mask

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