Definitions

cover-up

[kuhv-er-uhp] / ˈkʌv ərˌʌp /

NOUN

concealing; preventing investigation or exposure

Synonyms

STRONGEST

complicity conspiracy evasion

STRONG

burial camouflage concealment dissimulation front masking pretense whitewash

WEAK

closeting disguising hush-up placing under wraps seal of secrecy smokescreen veil of secrecy

VERB

conceal

Synonyms

STRONG

batten black out bottle up bury camouflage conceal cover deflect disguise dissemble equivocate gloss guard hush up inhume inter mask misinform misrepresent misrepresent/misquote obscure paint protect screen secrete shelter shield stifle suppress veil

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.

George Osborne, the museum's chair of trustees, told me it was a "pretty elaborate cover-up job".

From BBC • Apr. 28, 2026

Human rights activists and relatives of the missing quickly denounced the report as a cover-up — the latest attempt to “disappear the disappeared.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 6, 2026

Speaking to journalists in Finland, where he is attending a security summit, Sir Keir Starmer speculation McSweeney's account could be untrue and the government was involved in a cover-up was wrong.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

“It’s incredibly serious, points to a possible cover-up and is something that is just developing,” he said.

From Salon • Feb. 24, 2026

Nixon’s cover-up was holding, but possibly not for long.

From "Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War" by Steve Sheinkin

cover-up

Example Sentences

Related Words