disguised

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "disguised" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is deliberately and carefully hidden or covered up so it is hard to recognize. For example: "The thief disguised himself as a doctor to avoid detection."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The fear of being abandoned by one's parents (Hansel and Gretel), or of being destroyed by (or destroying) a parent or sibling – always disguised as, say, a "wicked stepsister" or "stepmother" – recurs again and again, allowing children to access their darker fantasies.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Kasparov had alreadyturned up the heat with declarations to El Pais in which he accused modern Russia of being "a corrupt dictatorship disguised as a democracy".

The Guardian - Sport

"The commission took a political decision disguised as a legal one," Mark Johnston, a senior adviser to the European Policy Centre, told the Guardian.

The Guardian

Now in his mid-80s, he is slender and quick, a New York talker, a man of polished anecdotes, long digressions, and strong opinions disguised with smiles.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Alcohol has such a grip on us because it is an integral part of society, socially acceptable when in fact it is an addictive drug disguised as a sophisticated experience," she says.

The Guardian

It is a personal attack disguised as a book review and has exposed Ms Hadid to public ridicule and contempt, depriving her of confidence and injuring her good name and reputation," said a statement from her New York lawyer Oren Warshavsky.

The Guardian - Arts

It was because, for their own political reasons and to outwit the censor, they talked about reality, but in slightly fantasised and disguised terms.

The Guardian

The report also cites increasingly sophisticated techniques, which include dissolving the drug in solvents to smuggle it across the border disguised as flavoured drinks or hidden in windshield wiper reservoirs.

The Guardian

Geddes himself is a barely disguised fanboy – check out his 1991 essay on Chinese "hopping vampires" – though, rather like the festival itself, he has graduated from cargo pants and gothic-cross earring to blazers and shirts.

The Guardian - Film

A study in which researchers play dress up to see how reindeer react to humans disguised as polar bears.

The Guardian

Japan has cancelled its annual Antarctic whaling hunt for the first time in more than a quarter of a century, in line with a UN court ruling that the program was a commercial activity disguised as science.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "disguised", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being hidden and what it is being hidden as, enhancing clarity and preventing ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "disguised" without specifying what the subject is disguised as. For instance, instead of saying 'The plan was disguised', clarify with 'The plan was disguised as a market research study'.

Linguistic Context

The term "disguised" primarily functions as a past participle used adjectivally to describe a noun that has been altered in appearance or nature to conceal its true form. Ludwig AI confirms that it is frequently used to describe something being hidden or misrepresented.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "disguised" functions as a past participle or adjective indicating concealment or misrepresentation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. It is most frequently encountered in news and media, formal business settings, and scientific publications. To ensure clarity, it's best to specify what is being disguised and the form it takes. Alternatives include "concealed", "masked", and "camouflaged". When writing, avoid using "disguised" without providing sufficient context. In the end, "disguised" helps writers add depth to their writing by pointing out hidden realities or deceptive appearances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in disguise

Focuses on the state of being altered in appearance to avoid recognition.

concealed

Focuses on the act of hiding something physically or metaphorically.

masked

Emphasizes covering something up to prevent recognition.

camouflaged

Highlights blending in with surroundings to avoid detection.

covered up

Suggests an attempt to hide something completely, often a mistake or scandal.

veiled

Implies a subtle form of hiding, often with a sense of mystery.

hidden

A general term for not being visible or apparent.

cloaked

Suggests being covered as if by a cloak, often for protection or secrecy.

under the guise of

Indicates a false appearance or pretense.

masquerading as

Highlights pretending to be something one is not.

FAQs

How is "disguised" typically used in a sentence?

The word "disguised" is usually used as a past participle or adjective to describe something that has been altered to conceal its true identity or nature. For example, 'The spy entered the building "disguised as a cleaner"'.

What words can I use instead of "disguised"?

Alternatives to "disguised" include "concealed", "masked", or "camouflaged", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "poorly disguised" or "badly disguised"?

Both "poorly disguised" and "badly disguised" are grammatically correct. "Poorly disguised" suggests something is not well hidden or concealed, while "badly disguised" also conveys the same meaning with a slightly stronger negative connotation.

What's the difference between "disguised" and "masquerading"?

"Disguised" generally refers to altering appearance to conceal identity, while "masquerading" implies actively pretending to be someone or something else, often to deceive. So, a thief might be "disguised as a security guard", but they are "masquerading as someone trustworthy".