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Definitions

cover story

NOUN
excuse
Synonyms
STRONGEST
alibi apology justification pretext rationalization substitute trick
STRONG
cleanup cover defense disguise evasion expedient extenuation grounds jive makeshift mitigation plea regrets routine semblance shift song stall stopgap story subterfuge vindication whitewash
WEAK
come-off cop-out coverup fish story song and dance why and wherefore
Antonyms
STRONG
permanent
NOUN
pretext
Synonyms
STRONGEST
alibi come-off excuse guise ploy pretense ruse
STRONG
affectation appearance bluff cleanup cloak color coloring cover cover-up device face feint front mask masquerade plea routine semblance show simulation stall stratagem subterfuge veil
WEAK
cop-out fig leaf red herring song and dance
Antonyms
STRONGEST
reality
STRONG
back rear truth

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In the last few days, Palantir's UK boss Louis Mosley turned to X to attack a critical cover story in the BMA's British Medical Journal.

From BBC • Apr. 24, 2026

In reality, it’s a cover story people use to dress up views — like advocating teen pregnancy — they can’t argue for directly in public.

From Salon • Apr. 20, 2026

The conservative journalist Christopher Caldwell penned a cover story last week for the Spectator magazine titled “The End of Trumpism.”

From Slate • Mar. 23, 2026

Fortune pondered whether Sam Bankman-Fried was “The Next Warren Buffett?” in a cover story mere months before the collapse of his crypto exchange FTX in 2022.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026

The general’s cover story was that André was really an agent named John Anderson whom Arnold was personally running.

From "George Washington, Spymaster" by Thomas B. Allen