cloak 1 of 2

noun

ˈklōk How to pronounce cloak (audio)
Definition of cloaknext
1
as in veil
something that covers or conceals like a piece of cloth the cloak of mystery that surrounds the royal family

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in cape
a sleeveless garment worn so as to hang over the shoulders, arms, and back threw a cloak around his shoulders

Synonyms & Similar Words

cloak

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to disguise
to change the dress or looks of so as to conceal true identity the outlaw nation had cloaked its chemical weapons plant as a fertilizer factory

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to conceal
to keep secret or shut off from view cloaked their military maneuvers from the outside world

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
Just running around wearing cloaks, slinking into and out of castles, slicing the throats of all who cross her. — Brian Grubb, Vulture, 27 July 2026 To create the body of her costume, Barnes draped a blue cloak over a large hoop skirt. — Jesa Marie Calaor, Allure, 24 July 2026
Verb
But some of its employees reportedly still worked from the US — and Americans could still use it to place bets thanks to virtual private networks, which cloak users’ locations. — Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 24 July 2026 In recent years, the typical Shears song has cloaked descriptions of paranormal encounters in hardcore distortion and cartoon sound effects, fleshing out the twins’ strange world while hinting at weirder mysteries beneath the surface. — Jude Noel, Pitchfork, 22 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for cloak
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cloak
  1. veil
  2. cape
  3. disguise
  4. conceal
  5. shroud
  6. mantle
  7. mask
  8. hide
Noun
  • The post featured several sweet moments, including one of her placing a veil on her daughter’s head.
    — Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The Substance actress shared a glimpse of herself helping her youngest daughter with her wedding veil, along with her daughters Rumer and Scout and granddaughter Louetta.
    — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of veil
Noun
  • Like her J’amemme dress, the actress’ Prabal Gurung top, which came in rich shades of blue and red, featured a short front that framed her baby bump, while the back tapered out to the floor, similar to a cape.
    — Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Readers everywhere recognize the intrepid sleuth’s deerstalker hat, Inverness cape, calabash pipe, and magnifying glass.
    — Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of cape
Verb
  • Other scams offered movie downloads that were actually Windows executable files disguised as video files.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • But those final frantic minutes often represent anxiety disguised as productivity.
    — Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of disguise
Verb
  • The Shenzhen Intermediate People's Court convicted Hui, also known as Xu Jiayin, and Evergrande of engaged in large-scale financial fraud in inflating the group’s assets and concealing its liabilities.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • That concealed the actual removal of the lettering for POTUS.
    — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of conceal
Noun
  • While music from the Campari Lounge boomed into the evening, approximately 100 demonstrators unwound a shroud bearing the names of 60,000 people who have been killed in Gaza since the beginning of the war two and a half years ago.
    — John Bleasdale, Variety, 9 Aug. 2026
  • The shroud of silence and fear that enveloped Syria throughout the Assad decades was gone.
    — Lina Sergie Attar, Time, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of shroud
Noun
  • Guy became Hal's backup and eventually assumed the mantle of Green Lantern.
    — Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Radhika Mettakhun, marketing and business development at Alvaasce, is also part of the new generation that has taken up the mantle of the family business, working to give it a new twist.
    — Mayu Saini, Footwear News, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of mantle
Verb
  • That has led a growing number of vessels transiting the Straits of Hormuz and Bab-al-Mandeb in the Red Sea to do everything in their power to mask their locations and cargo to avoid attack.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Lancôme’s Teint Idôle Ultra Wear All Over Concealer offers buildable, natural-looking coverage that can camouflage melasma, sunspots, and other hyperpigmentation without masking your skin entirely.
    — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of mask
Verb
  • His brother was stuffing bricks of cash in multiple places and would even wrap the money in plastic before hiding it in spaghetti sauce jars.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Paul Robinson is accused of hiding a safe containing drugs and cash.
    — Jennifer Borrasso, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of hide

Browse Nearby Words

cliquishness
cloak
cloak-and-dagger
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Cite this Entry

“Cloak.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cloak. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on cloak

Nglish: Translation of cloak for Spanish Speakers

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