cloak 1 of 2

cloak

2 of 2

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

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 cloak
Noun
The decision amounted to a sweeping cloak of impunity for Trump supporters who upended the country’s tradition of peaceful transfers of power by trying to overturn his election defeat four years ago. Michelle Price, Twin Cities, 20 Jan. 2025 The yellow of the cloak references the color of the flag of Vatican City. Virginia Raguin, The Conversation, 21 Jan. 2025
Verb
But the party went on, albeit cloaked anew as a fund-raiser for a kinder, gentler organization, the Good Neighbor Council for Aircraft Noise Control. Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2025 While unrestrained display of ancient splendor defines the Seychelles’ easterly, inner islands, southern and western islands boast more familiar, low-lying sandy fare, cloaked in coconut forests. Paul Rubio, AFAR Media, 23 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for cloak 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cloak
Noun
  • The sun, for all its glitz, tends to hide behind a veil of mystery.
    Monisha Ravisetti, Space.com, 5 Feb. 2025
  • Favoring minimal-to-no jewelry pieces, Anderson accessorized with a thick black headband attached to a black birdcage veil.
    Julia Teti, WWD, 27 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Take for instance the ravishing red cape top that swung on the matching carpet.
    Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 8 Feb. 2025
  • Randi Mahomes Randi Mahomes paid homage to her son Patrick Mahomes’ team wearing a sleeveless red dress with a cape element to the NFL Honors on Thursday.
    Julia Teti, WWD, 5 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Whilst The Washington Post reports efforts are made to disguise the latter payments, there are still fears they could be identified by people with the requisite know-how.
    Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 8 Feb. 2025
  • The group then schussed back to the village by torch-light, chased by ski patrollers disguised as Bond villains.
    Jen Murphy, Robb Report, 8 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Russia has to contend with a scenario where any shipping container in Ukraine – and there are tens of thousands - could potentially be concealing one of these systems.
    Matt Robison, Newsweek, 18 Feb. 2025
  • The fact this all plays out in real-time heightens that effect considerably, sweeping us up in the maelstrom of Hart’s bravado thanks to Hawke’s signature charm, even if it is undercut by something else barely concealed below the surface.
    David Opie, IndieWire, 18 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Pet fur tends to wrap around the shroud, requiring multiple attempts or complete removal of the bin to clear it fully.
    Tony Bradley, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
  • The bodies were wrapped in shrouds, with blue press vests draped over them.
    Democrat-Gazette staff from wire reports, arkansasonline.com, 27 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Wilson taking up the mantle of Captain America was a new thing—a development in the modern comics that occurred in 2014.
    Essence, Essence, 10 Feb. 2025
  • His struggles actually prepared him to take the mantle.
    Patrick Gomez, EW.com, 4 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • This protects your data in transit and masks your IP address to keep your location private.
    PCMAG, PCMAG, 9 Feb. 2025
  • Tor browser Many people are familiar with VPNs, or virtual private networks, which act kind of like a tunnel between your device and the internet that can mask where your internet traffic is coming from.
    Clare Duffy, CNN, 9 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • His wife, Avital, who was seven months pregnant at the time, hid in a safe room with their two daughters.
    Julia Frankel, Chicago Tribune, 14 Feb. 2025
  • Dylan notices the slogan and examines the poster to find that Irv hid his drawing of the Exports Hall, with detailed instructions on how to get there written on the back, behind it.
    Megan McCluskey, TIME, 14 Feb. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near cloak

Cite this Entry

“Cloak.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cloak. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on cloak

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!