Synonyms of screen

screen 1 of 2

noun

ˈskrēn 

1

as in film

the art or business of making a movie

he was a star of both stage and screen

Synonyms & Similar Words

• film
• movie
• filmmaking
• pictures
• cinema
• silver screen
• big screen
• Hollywood
• moviemaking
• filmland
• filmdom
• Bollywood
• showbiz
• show business

2

as in defense

means or method of defending

the target will be difficult to reach as it is behind a screen of anti-aircraft batteries

Synonyms & Similar Words

• defense
• wall
• ammunition
• shield
• protection
• safeguard
• weapon
• security
• armor
• guard
• ward
• cover
• aegis
• buckler
• arm
• armament
• weaponry
• munitions
• fort
• fortress
• stronghold
• palisade
• fastness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• attack
• offense
• assault
• aggression
• offensive

screen

2 of 2

verb

1

as in to protect

to drive danger or attack away from

attack helicopters were called in to help screen the troops from further attacks

Synonyms & Similar Words

• protect
• defend
• shield
• guard
• safeguard
• fence
• keep
• ward
• secure
• fend
• cover
• save
• prevent
• stand up for
• bulwark
• forfend
• war
• resist
• preserve
• avert
• wall
• conserve
• withstand
• fight
• oppose
• picket
• contend
• buffer
• battle
• palisade

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• attack
• assault
• submit
• cave
• assail
• yield
• overrun
• beset
• storm
• bombard
• besiege
• capitulate

2

as in to hide

to keep secret or shut off from view

bushes screened the swimming pool from passersby on the street

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hide
• conceal
• obscure
• cover
• curtain
• mask
• suppress
• disguise
• veil
• cloak
• blot out
• paper over
• block
• blanket
• shroud
• occult
• overshadow
• camouflage
• enshroud
• belie
• bury
• cover (up)
• shade
• gloss (over)
• smother
• darken
• eclipse
• varnish
• cloud
• whitewash
• gild
• occlude
• obstruct
• overcast
• becloud
• bedim
• befog

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• display
• show
• reveal
• disclose
• expose
• bare
• present
• divulge
• uncover
• unveil
• bring out
• unmask
• uncloak
• clarify
• illuminate
• get out
• broadcast
• publish
• spread
• air
• advertise
• proclaim
• publicize

3

as in to filter

to pass through a filter

you should screen the cooking oil to remove impurities

Synonyms & Similar Words

• filter
• strain
• leach
• percolate

4

as in to cover

to place a protective layer over

screened his eyes with his hand to block the sun

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cover
• shield
• mask
• veil
• drape
• cloak
• crown
• clothe
• pall
• cap
• obscure
• canopy
• disguise

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• expose
• uncover
• bare

Synonym Chooser

How is the word screen distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of screen are bury, conceal, hide, and secrete. While all these words mean "to withhold or withdraw from sight," screen implies an interposing of something that prevents discovery.

a house screened by trees

When would bury be a good substitute for screen?

The synonyms bury and screen are sometimes interchangeable, but bury implies covering up so as to hide completely.

buried the treasure

When might conceal be a better fit than screen?

The words conceal and screen can be used in similar contexts, but conceal usually does imply intent and often specifically implies a refusal to divulge.

concealed the weapon

When could hide be used to replace screen?

The meanings of hide and screen largely overlap; however, hide may or may not suggest intent.

hide in the closet

a house hidden in the woods

Where would secrete be a reasonable alternative to screen?

While in some cases nearly identical to screen, secrete suggests a depositing in a place unknown to others.

secreted the amulet inside his shirt

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of screen

Noun

Since then, he’s kicked around with HAIM while turning one third of its Los Angelino triumvirate, Alana Haim, into a screen actress. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 2 Oct. 2026

Also on the slate is a screen adaptation of Ben Sobieck’s When the Black-Eyed Children Knock, which was popular on Wattpad. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2026

Verb

The final decision should rest with the people who will work alongside the new hire, while technology is better suited to screening candidates at scale. — Lindsay Dodgson, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2026

Those were among the comments that came to light last year after an LAPD whistleblower secretly recorded his colleagues in a unit that screens police recruits. — Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026

Phrases Containing screen

• big screen
• silver screen