cloak 1 of 2

cloak

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb cloak differ from other similar words?

The words disguise and mask are common synonyms of cloak. While all three words mean "to alter the dress or appearance of so as to conceal the identity or true nature," cloak suggests a means of hiding a movement or an intention.

cloaked their maneuvers in secrecy

When is it sensible to use disguise instead of cloak?

While the synonyms disguise and cloak are close in meaning, disguise implies a change in appearance or behavior that misleads by presenting a different apparent identity.

disguised herself as a peasant

When is mask a more appropriate choice than cloak?

In some situations, the words mask and cloak are roughly equivalent. However, mask suggests some often obvious means of hiding or disguising something.

smiling to mask his discontent

Examples 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 cloak
Noun
Sundar is temporarily released from the cloak of anonymity that threatened to submerge him below the waves of talent in the global capital of cricket that is India. Tim Ellis, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024 Adult morning cloaks hibernate in cracks in tree bark, wood piles, or leaf litter. Anne Readel, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Sep. 2024
Verb
While cloaked in language about slavery, the measure is really about prisoners’ ability to refuse to work. The Mercury News/east Bay Times Editorial Boards, The Mercury News, 3 Oct. 2024 The project, which is cloaked in secrecy, has aligned an impressive ensemble, with Rebecca Ferguson, Idris Elba, Jared Harris, Greta Lee, Anthony Ramos, Tracy Letts, Moses Ingram and Gabriel Basso all set to appear in the movie. Brent Lang, Variety, 25 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for cloak 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cloak
Noun
  • Once her hair was styled into a bun and a veil was added, Calyssa says the entire look and feel of the dress transformed.
    Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 31 Oct. 2024
  • Situated at the southern end of the 32-acre palace complex, the al fresco patio looks out into the vastness of the Old City of Hyderabad, and that morning it was shrouded in an ethereal veil of winter mist.
    Charlie Hobbs, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Oct. 2024
Noun
  • Gabbard is like a red cape to the modern McCarthyites.
    Matt Robison, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024
  • While the Princess of Wales paired the cross with a velvet purple floor-length dress by Catherine Walker, Kardashian opted to marry the 5.25-carat necklace with pearl chokers and an ivory shawl cape.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Court documents reveal that Yener had also been modifying two-way radios to function as remote triggers for explosives and planned to disguise himself during the attack.
    Matt Robison, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024
  • Ralph Fiennes does a lot of heavy lifting to disguise its silliness.
    Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 19 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • That never happened, and the agency concealed the identities of the companies in the report.
    Max Blau, ProPublica, 14 Nov. 2024
  • With the mall purchase, the property owner, realtor and would-be developer also began publicly using an alias — Fabio de la Cruz — to conceal his wealth and protect his family's safety when traveling abroad to his and his wife's home countries.
    Alexandria Burris, The Indianapolis Star, 7 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • Published in Nature Astronomy, the study reveals that there may be a shroud of gas around every galaxy that stretches up to a million light years.
    Jamie Carter, Forbes, 13 Sep. 2024
  • That tragedy will always hang over the film like a shroud.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 21 Aug. 2024
Noun
  • Lean into the design of the mantle and create a seating area inspired by the silhouette, materials and color.
    Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 20 Nov. 2024
  • Those on the far right who had taken up the anti-vaccine mantle during the pandemic seemed equally pleased.
    Brandy Zadrozny, NBC News, 15 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • That masked citizens in a majority-Black city could be seen as threats underscored for many that anonymity may be worth protecting.
    Patrik Jonsson, The Christian Science Monitor, 20 Nov. 2024
  • This federal support, alongside the strong U.S. economy, boosted state finances and masked many long-simmering fiscal issues.
    Carlos Waters, CNBC, 6 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • The Super Bowl contender hiding in plain sight Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper signed a 13-year, $330 million contract in early 2019 in what was a record deal at the time.
    David K. Li, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024
  • But Bill Belichick has nothing in particular to offer when journalists ask about coaches hiding the effects of the disease.
    Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 12 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near cloak

Cite this Entry

“Cloak.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cloak. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

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