COSTUMES Synonyms: 83 Similar and Opposite Words

costumes 1 of 2

noun

plural of costume

as in dresses

clothing chosen as appropriate for a specific situation a tuxedo is the only acceptable costume for men attending a formal event

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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

costumes

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of costume

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

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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 costumes

Noun

Rodrigo Teaser of Brazil portrays Michael Jackson in this tribute concert with choreography, costumes and more. — Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026 Attendees arrived sporting Malört T-shirts, jerseys, hats shaped like the bottle and Malört-themed costumes, including the Mandalorian and pope. — Eva Remijan-Toba, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026 However, live feeders could tell the comp was coming up since those participating in it were dressed in their POV costumes. — Christopher Kuhagen, jsonline.com, 30 Aug. 2026 The production has a terrific and beautifully detailed, multilevel, three-room scenic design by Patrick Mason, with costumes by Brad Dubois, lighting by Ginger Chody and sound by Jaden Guerrero. — Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Aug. 2026 Gracie’s mother had sewing experience from making her children’s Halloween costumes, but couture construction was new territory. — Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 30 Aug. 2026 These iconic costumes appear in the film for only a short time, seen only in the Fhloston Paradise boarding scenes. — Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 30 Aug. 2026 The movie goes big on the ‘80s tropes for laughs, including over-the-top costumes and era-specific references, but the love story at its heart is timeless. — Kara Nesvig, Parents, 29 Aug. 2026 This is particularly true of costumes from the Hitchcockian vibe of 2020’s Ratched to the chic ’90s minimalism embodied by Carolyn Bessette Kennedy in this year’s Love Story. — Laurie Brookins, HollywoodReporter, 21 Aug. 2026

Verb

The night also saw modern iterations of court costumes from the 17th and 18th centuries. — R. Daniel Foster, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026 Seven days of building both the Ice King and Charlie the Unicorn costumes with much trial and error have culminated in her decision to go as the Ice King for the first day of San Diego Comic-Con. — Jesa Marie Calaor, Allure, 24 July 2026 Stewart recounted New York’s enthusiastic reaction to the Knicks winning, including the appearance of multiple Spider-Man costumes, a dancing MTA bus driver, and a drum line. — Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 16 June 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 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for costumes

Noun

The minimalist shape pairs well with jeans, loungewear, and even dresses.

— Kaitlin Gates, Travel + Leisure, 2 Sep. 2026
Bra bands that dig in and have minimal side coverage can create bulges under your tops and dresses, but this under-$20 Warners style does the opposite, according to shoppers.

— Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of dresses

Noun

Recreate these and more black-and-white outfits that hold the key to chic transitional dressing.

— Laura Jackson, Vogue, 31 Aug. 2026
Tennis champion Naomi Osaka has for years made the tennis court a runway, with her Nike outfits often paired with pieces made in collaboration with designers such as Hana Yagi and Robert Wun.

— Corbin Bolies, Variety, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of outfits

Browse Nearby Words

costumery

costumes

costumey

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“Costumes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/costumes. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of costumes

noun

verb

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