disguised as

USAGE SUMMARY

"disguised as" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is an idiom that means to hide or conceal one's identity using a disguise or costume. Example: He arrived at the party wearing a mask and disguised as a pirate.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What's our frequency?" Byron Biggerstaff was wearing a recorder disguised as a watch, a camera disguised as a button, and a radio disguised as a tape measure.

The New Yorker

Gabriel returns disguised as Blind.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"I love humor disguised as a question.

The New York Times

The guy buried himself disguised as Saddam!

The New York Times

Rebels disguised as police erect false checkpoints.

The Economist

Advertorials (advertisements disguised as articles) are common.

The Economist

Mr. Posada escaped disguised as a priest.

The New York Times

Carmenère, disguised as merlot, thrived.

The New York Times - Food

Payments were disguised as charitable donations.

The New York Times

It is intolerance disguised as victimisation.

The Guardian - Opinion

This is warfare disguised as political theatre.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "disguised as", ensure that the subject is intentionally concealing its true form or nature. This phrase is most effective when emphasizing deception or altered appearance for a specific purpose.

Common error

Avoid using "disguised as" when simply describing a superficial similarity without intent. For instance, saying "the rock looked disguised as a face" is inaccurate if the resemblance is accidental. Instead, use phrases like "resembled" or "looked like".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "disguised as" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun. It indicates that something or someone is intentionally concealing their true identity or nature by adopting a different appearance. Ludwig AI shows examples ranging from physical disguises to metaphorical concealments.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "disguised as" is a commonly used prepositional phrase that indicates intentional concealment or altered appearance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and suitable for a range of contexts, particularly in news and media. When using this phrase, ensure that it accurately reflects a deliberate attempt to hide something's true nature. Related phrases like "masquerading as" or "posing as" can offer nuanced alternatives depending on the specific meaning you want to convey. Avoid using "disguised as" when there is no intent to deceive, and consider the formality of your writing when choosing this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

masquerading as

Implies a deceptive appearance, often to create a more favorable impression.

posing as

Suggests an intentional act of pretending to be someone or something else.

cloaked as

Indicates that something is hidden or covered by something else, often metaphorically.

veiled as

Similar to cloaked, but emphasizes a more subtle or delicate form of concealment.

under the guise of

Highlights the use of a false pretense or appearance to conceal the true nature of something.

camouflaged as

Emphasizes blending in with the surroundings to avoid detection.

presenting itself as

Focuses on how something appears or is represented, often with a deceptive intent.

appearing as

Describes a superficial resemblance that may not reflect the true nature of something.

masked as

Highlights the concealment of true identity or purpose, often for nefarious reasons.

imitating

Focuses on copying the appearance or behavior of something or someone else.

FAQs

How can I use "disguised as" in a sentence?

Use "disguised as" to describe something that is intentionally concealing its true nature or form. For example: "The spy entered the building "disguised as" a maintenance worker."

What are some alternatives to "disguised as"?

You can use alternatives such as "masquerading as", "posing as", or "cloaked as" to convey a similar meaning, depending on the context.

Which is correct, "disguised as" or "disguised like"?

"Disguised as" is the correct and idiomatic phrase. "Disguised like" is not standard English and should be avoided.

What's the difference between "disguised as" and "imitating"?

"Disguised as" implies a deliberate attempt to conceal one's true identity or nature, while "imitating" simply means copying the appearance or behavior of something else, without necessarily implying deception.