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.

Lawyers for the group contended that the city was obfuscating to cover up its inadequate efforts to comply with its settlement.

From Los Angeles Times • May 7, 2026

Earlier this month, after Sun aired criticism on X, World Liberty tweeted, “Justin’s favorite move is playing the victim while making baseless allegations to cover up his own misconduct.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 22, 2026

The harder she tried to cover up the Epstein files, the more public interest in them grew.

From Salon • Apr. 3, 2026

Any justification now will just be an attempt to cover up the reality that these arrests were being done without any known agency guidance in the first place.

From Slate • Mar. 27, 2026

He made her cover up her eyes at the top of the hill and led her along an old lumber road for a while by the hand.

From "Miracles on Maple Hill" by Virginia Sorensen

cover-up

Example Sentences

Related Words