1
as in dresses
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 masks
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 clothes
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of costumes
Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026
Anti-Trump and anti-Paramount protesters held signs and wore costumes outside the event on Thursday evening.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026
The sign features stylized imagery reflecting the entertainment industry, including cameras, costumes and set design elements that represent the neighborhood’s artistic roots.
—City News Service, Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026
The unique design features imagery reflecting the region's entertainment industry with cameras, costumes and set design elements.
—Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
Margo writes scripts, plans costumes and makeup, blocks scenes, and dreams up plot arcs for her erotic-alien alter ego.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 2026
Reusing materials — whether that’s costumes, props, materials or sets, for instance — is a classic choice that allows projects to both save both money and reduce waste.
—Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 22 Apr. 2026
Entertainers and guests’ costumes alike were incredible.
—Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
The same girls who’d posted winking pop-culture-reference couples Halloween costumes a few years ago were now posting their toddlers in their own pop-culture-reference costumes.
—Literary Hub, 9 Apr. 2026
Literary Hub, 9 Apr. 2026
To make that medicine go down easier, RAYE costumes her fatalism in a baroque maximalism.
—Boutayna Chokrane, Pitchfork, 2 Apr. 2026
It is celebrated with a ceremonious parade that features a cavalcade of men dressed in Roman soldier costumes, evoking a sense of solemn thanksgiving and spiritual devotion.
—Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Mar. 2026
The room houses costumes for performances for the entire year, and there are about 40 years of costumes in the room.
—Najahe Sherman, CBS News, 22 Dec. 2025
The company brought its famous mascot — the beloved Morton Salt Girl, who every year inspires who knows how many Halloween costumes.
—Kansas City Star, 13 Nov. 2025
Those costumes from the original Broadway production, including the Schuyler sisters’ winter ball gowns, Hamilton, Jefferson and Burr’s suits, as well as King George’s outfit, are all featured among the exhibit, too.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 5 Nov. 2025
Here are five tips for creating last-minute DIY KPop Demon Hunters Halloween costumes.
—Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Party City Halloween costumes 2025 Customers can shop for the family or office party in a few clicks and have orders delivered through DoorDash.
—Cheryl V. Jackson, IndyStar, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
Two years later, the midnight-movie adaptation The Rocky Horror Picture Show transformed it into a cultural phenomenon, fueled by raucous responses, scant costumes and a sense of communal anarchy.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026
Anti-Trump and anti-Paramount protesters held signs and wore costumes outside the event on Thursday evening.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026
The sign features stylized imagery reflecting the entertainment industry, including cameras, costumes and set design elements that represent the neighborhood’s artistic roots.
—City News Service, Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026
The unique design features imagery reflecting the region's entertainment industry with cameras, costumes and set design elements.
—Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
Margo writes scripts, plans costumes and makeup, blocks scenes, and dreams up plot arcs for her erotic-alien alter ego.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 2026
Reusing materials — whether that’s costumes, props, materials or sets, for instance — is a classic choice that allows projects to both save both money and reduce waste.
—Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 22 Apr. 2026
Entertainers and guests’ costumes alike were incredible.
—Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
The same girls who’d posted winking pop-culture-reference couples Halloween costumes a few years ago were now posting their toddlers in their own pop-culture-reference costumes.
—Literary Hub, 9 Apr. 2026
Verb
The same girls who’d posted winking pop-culture-reference couples Halloween costumes a few years ago were now posting their toddlers in their own pop-culture-reference costumes.
—Literary Hub, 9 Apr. 2026
To make that medicine go down easier, RAYE costumes her fatalism in a baroque maximalism.
—Boutayna Chokrane, Pitchfork, 2 Apr. 2026
It is celebrated with a ceremonious parade that features a cavalcade of men dressed in Roman soldier costumes, evoking a sense of solemn thanksgiving and spiritual devotion.
—Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Mar. 2026
The room houses costumes for performances for the entire year, and there are about 40 years of costumes in the room.
—Najahe Sherman, CBS News, 22 Dec. 2025
The company brought its famous mascot — the beloved Morton Salt Girl, who every year inspires who knows how many Halloween costumes.
—Kansas City Star, 13 Nov. 2025
Those costumes from the original Broadway production, including the Schuyler sisters’ winter ball gowns, Hamilton, Jefferson and Burr’s suits, as well as King George’s outfit, are all featured among the exhibit, too.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 5 Nov. 2025
Here are five tips for creating last-minute DIY KPop Demon Hunters Halloween costumes.
—Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Party City Halloween costumes 2025 Customers can shop for the family or office party in a few clicks and have orders delivered through DoorDash.
—Cheryl V. Jackson, IndyStar, 22 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for costumes
Noun
-
Inspired by blooms outside, floral dresses are an uplifting way to look polished while staying comfortable.—
Nicol Natale,
PEOPLE,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Designed for warm-weather ease, linen dresses like this elegant frock from Quince offer a polished look that doesn’t require overthinking your outfit.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But following elite competition is nearly impossible, with subtle flicks and jabs practically invisible to the naked eye—and competitors hidden behind masks.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Police said three men wearing masks and all black clothing entered the open business and allegedly used a hammer to smash out several glass panels.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Even relaxed outfits feel considered, with attention to fit and proportion.—
Samantha Leal,
Travel + Leisure,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The camera then cuts to the Foo Fighters, dressed in nice, clean, crisp white outfits, performing to an ecstatic crowd similarly dressed in nice, clean, crisp white outfits.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Costumes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/costumes. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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