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.

Varley was "hysterical" and blaming himself for what had happened, but this was all a "cover-up" act, Wright said.

From BBC • Apr. 21, 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

They then spent days refusing to release his body to his relatives, triggering accusations of a cover-up.

From Barron's • Feb. 16, 2026

And Scottish Conservative health spokesman Dr Sandesh Gulhane said there was evidence of "a cover-up at the very top."

From BBC • Jan. 18, 2026

Excuses, alibis, and wild cover-up stories chased each other around Harry’s brain, each more feeble than the last.

From "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" by J.K. Rowling

cover-up

Example Sentences

Related Words