disguise, cloak, mask mean to alter the dress or appearance of so as to conceal the identity or true nature.
disguise implies a change in appearance or behavior that misleads by presenting a different apparent identity.
disguised herself as a peasant
cloak suggests a means of hiding a movement or an intention.
cloaked their maneuvers in secrecy
mask suggests some often obvious means of hiding or disguising something.
smiling to mask his discontent
Example Sentences
Noun Their plans were shrouded in a cloak of secrecy. the cloak of mystery that surrounds the royal family Verb the outlaw nation had cloaked its chemical weapons plant as a fertilizer factory cloaked their military maneuvers from the outside world
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The rest—the dark cloak that Cecil Beaton photographed her in, and the Order of the Garter robe, and a fur coat—would be layered on top of it and removed for the different pictures. Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 9 Sep. 2022 The largest of all rays and one of the largest fish in the ocean, mantas are named for their unique appearance, with their common name meaning ‘blanket’ or ‘cloak’ in Spanish. Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes, 18 July 2022 Yet Knowles’ cloak and dagger policy also apparently extends to his location inside Ohio Stadium on Saturday. Nathan Baird, cleveland, 30 Aug. 2022 Almost immediately, the veteran FBI agent in charge of that investigation, Robert Ibbotson, tuned in to cloak-and-dagger phone calls that could not be more different from Posey’s direct approach at Perpetual Storage.WIRED, 19 Aug. 2022 Stefanski's cloak-and-dagger approach to his plan for handling the quarterbacks in Jacksonville has mirrored the way he's handled it since the team opened its offseason program in April. Chris Easterling, USA TODAY, 10 Aug. 2022 Gorgeously made-up, with earrings, necklaces, bracelets, rings, a corset, and a cloak, Inanna set forth. Roberto Calasso, Harper’s Magazine , 17 Aug. 2022 Gaiman's grim reaper eschewed a cloak and scythe for a black tank top and a spunky attitude — inspiring many young goths in the process. Christian Holub, EW.com, 4 Aug. 2022 Thor cloak is made of the same heavy dorchester fabric that is used for the red jackets of the Queen’s Guards, Rubeo sourced a more dynamic, willowy textile from Spain for Portman’s suit.New York Times, 13 July 2022
Verb
So along with ex-Googler Barath Raghavan, Schmitt founded Invisv, a startup dedicated to figuring out how to cloak its users' IMSIs. Sascha Segan, PCMAG, 11 Aug. 2022 This movement uses Christian language to cloak sexism and hostility to Black people and non-White immigrants in its quest to create a White Christian America. John Blake, CNN, 24 July 2022 Many Ukrainian workers tried to cloak their loyalties, speaking in Russian and cleaning out old social-media posts. Drew Hinshaw, WSJ, 17 June 2022 Russians are understandably proud of their nation's historic spaceflight glory, and Putin wanted to cloak himself in the glow of Gagarin's achievement. Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 13 Apr. 2022 Many mass shooters leave manifestos, hoping to cloak their violent actions in noble speech. Frank Shyongcolumnist, Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2022 As Putin used the language of faith to cloak his political and military ambitions, Kirill also used sermons to rationalize the campaign on spiritual grounds.Washington Post, 4 May 2022 But if things get messy, panels slide shut to cloak the back kitchen from main living areas. Sally Finder Weepie, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 May 2022 Since then, however, Kirill has solidified his role as an ally of the Kremlin, helping Putin cloak his political and military ambitions in the language of faith.Washington Post, 24 Apr. 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English cloke, from Anglo-French cloque bell, cloak, from Medieval Latin clocca bell; from its shape