Masked

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "Masked" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe something that is concealed or hidden, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "The masked figure moved silently through the shadows." Alternative expressions include "concealed" and "hidden."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

David Cameron's talk of "ongoing discussion", and Merkel's remark that there had been no talk of "technicalities" hardly masked the fact that the chancellor is still unwilling to give the prime minister what he wants: treaty changes to repatriate powers to Britain, in exchange for the treaty changes Merkel needs to achieve fiscal union within the eurozone.

The Guardian

Hearing, on N.P.R., that masked Taliban gunmen gunned  down a 14-year-old girl for publicly speaking out about her desire for an education, had that effect.

The New York Times

In Oaxaca's capital, masked protesters emptied a vehicle of ballots, boxes and voting tables and burned the material in the main square.

The Guardian

Both incidents heightened an awareness of the sport's inherent dangers, masked in recent years by massive strides in technology and on-board safety, but now exposed by the violence of Ratzenberger 's collision as his Simtek struck a concrete retaining wall at close to 200mph.

The Guardian - Sport

So when the property bubbles that masked the weaknesses of so many economies burst, the crisis set in with a vengeance.

The Guardian - Opinion

But you be the judge: In the immediate wake of the Sept. 11 attack, in which four Americans including Ambassador Chris Stevens were killed, Obama administration officials said protests outside the compound over an anti-Islamic video produced in California had preceded or somehow masked the assault.

The Guardian

She believes that stark inequalities in the learning environments of different schools are emerging, often masked by the fact that schools like hers get good results and are popular in the local community.

The Guardian

He also called the legitimacy of many of Ukraine's governing bodies "doubtful", adding: "There is no one to deal with there [in Ukraine]; masked and armed people are no partners for dialogue".

The Guardian

"It's gonna be yours before the night's over if you don't cooperate with us," Young OG recalled a masked officer telling him.

The Guardian

There were chants of 'If you don't pay your taxes, we'll shut you down' … Megaphones were used … Some protesters were masked.

The Guardian

Vergara and Garcia told the Guardian that masked police police officers "kidnapped" them from a Humboldt Park deli; held them and three others in a Homan Square "cage" without booking or access to counsel for eight to nine hours; and released four of them that evening without charge after Vergara threatened to tell a civil rights attorney what the police had done.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Apply the term figuratively when describing the suppression of symptoms or the hiding of economic weaknesses.

Common error

Avoid using "masked" when you mean a large number of things gathered together. For large groups, use "massed" instead.

Linguistic Context

In English, "masked" serves as either the past participle of the verb "to mask" or as an adjective. As an adjective, it describes a person or object that is covered to hide its identity or nature. According to Ludwig, it is frequently used to modify nouns in both literal and figurative senses.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Social Media

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "masked" is a robust and versatile term in English, primarily used to describe states of concealment. Ludwig AI highlights its prevalence in high-quality journalism, where it often describes physical anonymity (such as protesters or gunmen) or abstract concealment (such as economic weaknesses or true emotions). Whether you are writing a news report or a literary piece, "masked" effectively communicates the idea of something being hidden behind a facade or a physical barrier. It is grammatically correct and widely recognized across all formal registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Concealed

Suggests something kept out of sight or hidden purposefully.

Disguised

Implies a change in appearance to prevent recognition.

Hidden

A general term for something that is out of sight.

Obscured

Means made unclear or difficult to see or understand.

Camouflaged

Specific to blending in with surroundings to remain unnoticed.

Veiled

Often used for abstract concepts like threats or emotions.

Shrouded

Suggests being wrapped or enveloped in mystery.

Cloaked

Indicates something covered as if by a cape or mantle.

Anonymous

Used when the identity is masked rather than the physical object.

Faceless

Describes a person or group whose individual identity is hidden.

FAQs

How to use "Masked" in a sentence?

You can use it literally, as in "the "masked gunmen" fled the scene", or figuratively, as in "her smile "masked her sadness"".

What is the difference between "Masked" and "Hidden"?

While both imply being out of sight, "masked" usually involves a specific covering or a deliberate attempt to change how something appears, whereas "hidden" is more general.

Is "Masked" always used for something negative?

Not necessarily. While common in crime reports, it is also used for "masked balls" or medical professionals wearing "surgical masks".

What can I say instead of "Masked" when talking about feelings?

You might use alternatives like "suppressed", "veiled", or "concealed".