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Meaning & use

unmasking

noun, verb·Advanced

Last updated

UK/ʌnˈmɑːskɪŋ/
US/ʌnˈmæskɪŋ/

“unmasking” is a form of “unmask”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.

Meanings

  1. nouncountable or uncountable

    The act of revealing the true identity, nature or hidden wrongdoing of a person or group.

    Grammar: Often followed by of: the unmasking of a spy.

    Patterns

    • the unmasking of someone

    The unmasking of the thief shocked the whole office.

    The novel ends with the unmasking of the killer.

    Journalists were praised for the unmasking of the fraud.

  2. noununcountable

    The removal of a mask or covering from a person's face.

    Grammar: Often used about a performance or ceremony.

    The unmasking at the end of the ball made everyone laugh.

    The dancer's unmasking was the highlight of the show.

  3. verbtransitive

    Present participle of unmask: revealing the true identity or nature of someone or something.

    Grammar: Takes an object: unmasking the culprit.

    Patterns

    • unmask someone as something

    The reporter is unmasking corruption at the council.

    She is unmasking the villain in the final chapter.

    The study is unmasking hidden causes of the disease.

Common combinations

the unmasking of a spy
The unmasking of a spy ended the long investigation.
public unmasking
The public unmasking embarrassed the executive.
dramatic unmasking
The film closes with a dramatic unmasking.
unmasking a fraud
Unmasking a fraud takes patient research.
unmasking the truth
The documentary succeeds at unmasking the truth.

Synonyms and how they differ

exposure
This is broader and can mean any revealing, while unmasking suggests removing a disguise or false front.
revelation
This stresses the surprising fact that is revealed, not the act of stripping away a disguise.
uncovering
This is more neutral and suggests finding something hidden, not exposing a false identity.

Opposites

concealingdisguising

Word family

unmask verb
to reveal true identity or nature
unmasked adjective
with the true identity revealed or the mask removed
mask noun
a covering for the face, or a false front
masked adjective
wearing a mask or hidden

Commonly confused: unmasking or unmaking?

unmasking vs unmaking

Unmaking means destroying or undoing something, while unmasking means revealing what was hidden.

Practice

The detective's final scene is the ___ of the villain in front of the guests.

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