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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.

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

In her “Vanity Fair” cover story last year, Charli told writer Anna Peele that she turned down a Brat Tour documentary, despite her label pressuring her to make one.

From Salon • Feb. 8, 2026

My Barron’s colleagues Andrew Welsch and Nick Devor explored the world of prediction markets in the latest Barron’s cover story.

From Barron's • Dec. 24, 2025

In a GQ cover story this summer,, external Kelce said his football "might have slipped a little bit because I did have a little bit more focus in trying to set myself up".

From BBC • Dec. 24, 2025

It looked like the cover story was holding.

From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin