1
as in dress
clothing chosen as appropriate for a specific situation
a tuxedo is the only acceptable costume for men attending a formal event
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in mask
clothing put on to hide one's true identity or imitate someone or something else
Halloween costumes that caricature some of the "celebrities" created by the media over the past year
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in to dress
to outfit with clothes and especially fine or special clothes
the days when people, costumed in their Sunday best, would parade along the grand avenue on Easter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in costumey
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of costume
Datwon Thomas, VIBE.com, 31 Mar. 2026
Inside these flamboyant animal costumes, with cartoonish eyes and plushy paws, are people belonging to a subculture known as furries.
—Jessica Ma, Dallas Morning News, 29 Mar. 2026
Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
Donning facial hair, bowler hats and narrow ties, a group of women costumed as men appear to pay court to the woman seated in the center of this photo, taken about 1905.
—Naperville Sun, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
In Milan, suits are never costume.
—Alejandro Badia, Footwear News, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for costume
Noun
My Zidler costume is definitely going to be something nobody’s ever seen before because Zidler has never been a female character.
—Datwon Thomas, VIBE.com, 31 Mar. 2026
Inside these flamboyant animal costumes, with cartoonish eyes and plushy paws, are people belonging to a subculture known as furries.
—Jessica Ma, Dallas Morning News, 29 Mar. 2026
Verb
In the costuming department, the show utilized more than 1,000 yards of fabric and 1/2 mile of fringe with 90 types of fabrics represented.
—Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
Donning facial hair, bowler hats and narrow ties, a group of women costumed as men appear to pay court to the woman seated in the center of this photo, taken about 1905.
—Naperville Sun, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
The theme this year is costume art.
—Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
In Milan, suits are never costume.
—Alejandro Badia, Footwear News, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for costume
Recent Examples of Synonyms for costume
Noun
-
Another version used the bubble-wand photo to give Graham a pink Cinderella-style dress and a set of Mini Mouse ears, complete with perky red bow.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
1 Apr. 2026
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According to data collected in 2025 by luxury watch resale marketplace Chrono24, Gen Z buy more classic dress watches than any other age demographic.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Some, like in Greece, even wear masks.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
29 Mar. 2026
-
The man, later identified as Rodgers, wore a mask had appeared alongside conservative influencer Alex Stein.—
Miriam Fauzia,
Dallas Morning News,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Though he was fully clothed, his throat had also been slit.—
John Wayne Ferguson,
Houston Chronicle,
26 Mar. 2026
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Immediately after the shooting, Ellis drove to nearby South Beach Park, abandoned his car, went into the ocean fully clothed and swam about 900 yards offshore, Currey added.—
Matt Lavietes,
NBC news,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The white trim along the front buttons and sleeve hems gives it a vintage feel without being costumey.—
Lane Nieset,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Speaking of styling tricks to steal, the foppish ties that almost looked like silk scarves or ribbons at the Yohji Yamamoto show would be a good alternative for women who want some kind of necktie but think a traditional men’s tie reads too costumey.—
Marisa Meltzer,
Vanity Fair,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The observed activity could instead reflect internal neural processes, such as refinement of camouflage abilities.—
Samantha Agate,
Miami Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The observed activity could instead reflect internal neural processes such as refinement of camouflage abilities.—
Samantha Agate,
Kansas City Star,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Matter—slim, dark-haired, attired in a dark blue zip-up sweater and matinee idol handsome—is a natural entertainer who savored every moment holding a mic.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
29 Mar. 2026
-
They were identically attired, in a dark suit and dark glasses.—
Alexandra Petri,
The Atlantic,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The key here is to look for smart fits and dressy details, including creasing, pleating, and even embroidery.—
Jake Henry Smith,
Glamour,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Exceptions To My Closet Clean-Out Rule The only exceptions to my rule are extremely sentimental and/or dressy pieces.—
Mary Shannon Wells,
Southern Living,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Customers can come in sweaty gym clothes or date-night garbs.—
Jenna Thompson
March 26,
Kansas City Star,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Some of the deportations were captured on video and in images showing men in underwear or prison garb, shackled and bent over at their waists.—
Suzanne Gamboa,
NBC news,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Costume.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/costume. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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