cover-up
noun
cov·er-up
ˈkə-vər-ˌəp 
1
a
: a device or stratagem for masking or concealing
his garrulousness is a cover-up for insecurity
b
: a usually concerted effort to keep an illegal or unethical act or situation from being made public
2
: a loose outer garment
Examples of cover-up in a Sentence
that contrived burglary was just a cover-up for murder
Recent Examples on the Web
Cruise was operating but was shut down because of a cover-up around a key safety issue.
—
Brad Templeton, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
The administration’s automatic lies about the killings and slander of the victims are less a cover-up of facts than a display of utter contempt for them.
—George Packer, The Atlantic, 27 Jan. 2026
This is where caftans or maxi-style cover-ups really shine.
—Kelsey Glennon, Travel + Leisure, 26 Jan. 2026
After nearly 10 minutes the youngest was allowed back in the car to grab a cover-up.
—Carol Thompson, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cover-up
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Brad Templeton, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
The administration’s automatic lies about the killings and slander of the victims are less a cover-up of facts than a display of utter contempt for them.
—George Packer, The Atlantic, 27 Jan. 2026
This is where caftans or maxi-style cover-ups really shine.
—Kelsey Glennon, Travel + Leisure, 26 Jan. 2026
After nearly 10 minutes the youngest was allowed back in the car to grab a cover-up.
—Carol Thompson, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cover-up
Cite this Entry
“Cover-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cover-up. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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