unmask
Strip the disguise
To unmask is to remove a mask or disguise, revealing what's underneath.
The word almost always appears figuratively: to unmask a fraud is to expose their true nature, to unmask a conspiracy is to reveal what was hidden.
The investigation unmasked years of corruption.
She unmasked him as a liar.
Reveal something hidden
- uncoverReveal what's hidden
- exposeMake known publicly
- discloseReveal hidden information
- divulgeReveal private information
show · display · manifest · demonstrate · exhibit · bring to light · lay bare · strip away
Thorough examination or tool
- detectNotice or discover
- identifyEstablish who or what
- exposeMake known publicly
- surveillanceSystematic observation of subjects
uncover · reconnaissance · informant · whistle-blower · detective · sleuth · inquiry · sting operation
Quality of being genuine
- sincerityHonest, unfeigned genuineness
- honestyTruthfulness, sincerity
- candorUnguarded truthfulness
- transparencyState of being see-through
genuineness · integrity · veracity · openness · frankness · real · true colors · truth
Identity-concealing alteration
- pretenseDeceptive outward show
- facadeDeceptive outward appearance
- charadeAbsurd or obvious pretense
- guiseExternal manner shown
camouflage · cover-up · masquerade · impostor · fraud · deceit · hoax · sham
Assumed public identity
- aliasAdopted false name
- anonymityUnknown identity state
- incognitoWith identity concealed
- secret identityUndisclosed true self
true self · hidden identity · alter ego · pseudonym · real name · assumed name · double agent · spy
Traveling amusement attraction
- masqueradeDeceptive act or costume party
- ballSpherical plaything or gala
- costumeClothing for portrayal
- veilFabric that obscures
disguise · Halloween · Mardi Gras · Venetian · phantom
Surprising disclosed truth
- shockViolent sudden disturbance
- astonishmentIntense sudden wonder
- epiphanySudden profound insight
- bombshellShocking sudden revelation
twist · discovery · realization · eye-opener · gasp · plot twist · dramatic reveal · stunning
unveil
Reveal something hidden
divulge · show · display · manifest · demonstrate · exhibit · bring to light · lay bare · strip away · bare
probe
Thorough examination or tool
surveillance · uncover · reconnaissance · informant · whistle-blower · detective · sleuth · inquiry · sting operation · reveal
authenticity
Quality of being genuine
transparency · genuineness · integrity · veracity · openness · frankness · real · true colors · truth · hidden truth
disguise
Identity-concealing alteration
guise · camouflage · cover-up · masquerade · impostor · fraud · deceit · hoax · sham · subterfuge
persona
Assumed public identity
secret identity · true self · hidden identity · alter ego · pseudonym · real name · assumed name · double agent · spy · mole
carnival
Traveling amusement attraction
- masqueradeDeceptive act or costume party
- ballSpherical plaything or gala
- costumeClothing for portrayal
veil · disguise · Halloween · Mardi Gras · Venetian · phantom
revelation
Surprising disclosed truth
- shockViolent sudden disturbance
- astonishmentIntense sudden wonder
- epiphanySudden profound insight
bombshell · twist · discovery · realization · eye-opener · gasp · plot twist · dramatic reveal · stunning · jaw-dropping
exposure
State of being unprotected
- defenselessWithout means to resist
- nakednessUnclothed condition
- strippedHad coverings removed
raw · unprotected · unguarded · bare · laid bare · intimacy · openness · risk · courage · bravery
- detectiondetect, discover, find, identify, locate
- disclosurerevealing, disclosing, disclosure, disclose, divulge
- revealreveal, disclose, expose, unveil, bare
- U-wordsugly, ultimate, ultra, umbrella, unable
- visibilityvisibility, visible, invisible, hidden, hide
- root outroot out, flush out, ferret out, smoke out, weed out