conceal

verb con·ceal \ kən-ˈsēl \

Definition of conceal

transitive verb

1 :to prevent disclosure or recognition of

conceal the truth

She could barely conceal her anger.

2 :to place out of sight

concealed himself behind the door

The defendant is accused of attempting to conceal evidence.

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concealable

play \kən-ˈsē-lə-bəl\ adjective

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concealingly

play \kən-ˈsē-liŋ-lē\ adverb

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concealment

play \kən-ˈsēl-mənt\ noun

See conceal defined for English-language learners

See conceal defined for kids

Examples of conceal in a Sentence

The sunglasses conceal her eyes.
The controls are concealed behind a panel.
The defendant is accused of attempting to conceal evidence.
The editorial accused the government of concealing the truth.
She could barely conceal her anger.

Recent Examples of conceal from the Web

The company that insured the $5 million home, which had nearly 15,000 square feet of finished living space, says the couple intentionally misrepresented or concealed information relevant to the investigation.

— kevin grasha, Cincinnati.com, "Indian Hill mansion fire, still a mystery, heads to court with millions on the line," 27 Aug. 2017
If the transition from 11-man football to the eight-man game was supposed to be difficult, the Flintridge Prep football team did a wonderful job concealing the turmoil.

— andrew j. campa, Glendale News-Press, "Success depends on maturation for Flintridge Prep football," 23 Aug. 2017
The Predator 21 X’s designers considered creating some sort of flap to conceal the curve of the screen when the laptop is closed.

— melissa riofrio, PCWorld, "Acer Predator 21 X: We unbox the beastliest gaming laptop ever," 2 Aug. 2017
The civil suit, filed by the former Explorer identified only as N.C., also claims the police department attempted to conceal the allegations.

— phillip m. bailey, The Courier-Journal, "Metro Council moving on stronger reporting rules for Louisville cops accused of child abuse," 19 July 2017
Johnny Bolden, 58, of the 2700 block of Forge Hill Road, was charged Tuesday with first- and second-degree assault, possession of a deadly weapon with intent to injure, possession of drug paraphernalia and two counts of concealing a deadly weapon.

— The Aegis, "Police blotter: From Aberdeen to Fallston to Street," 14 July 2017
For decades, the National Rifle Association pushed for state laws allowing people to carry concealed guns with permits.

— david a. lieb, The Seattle Times, "State laws will expand concealed guns to public facilities," 1 July 2017
And bubbles could work as camouflage, concealing whales from predators in a wall of opaque white foam.

— erica cirino, The Atlantic, "Are Bubbles a Whale's Way of Giving the Finger?," 28 June 2017
Lawmakers made several amendments to the bill, which eventually included a felony punishment for withholding or altering documents from associations if it was shown that they were concealed to commit or cover up crimes.

— brenda medina, miamiherald, "Florida governor approves condo law reforms," 27 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'conceal.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of conceal

Middle English concelen, from Anglo-French conceler, from Latin concelare, from com- + celare to hide — more at hell

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First Known Use: 14th century

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conceal Synonyms

Synonyms

bury, cache, ¹hide, ensconce, secrete

Antonyms

display, exhibit

Related Words

hoard, squirrel (away), stash; entomb, inter

Near Antonyms

bare, expose, reveal, show, uncover, unmask, unveil, unwrap; flaunt, parade, show off; disinter, unearth

Synonym Discussion of conceal

hide, conceal, screen, secrete, bury mean to withhold or withdraw from sight. hide may or may not suggest intent.

- hide in the closet
- a house hidden in the woods

conceal usually does imply intent and often specifically implies a refusal to divulge.

- concealed the weapon

screen implies an interposing of something that prevents discovery.

- a house screened by trees

secrete suggests a depositing in a place unknown to others.

- secreted the amulet inside his shirt

bury implies covering up so as to hide completely.

- buried the treasure

CONCEAL Defined for English Language Learners

conceal

verb

Definition of conceal for English Language Learners

: to hide (something or someone) from sight
: to keep (something) secret

CONCEAL Defined for Kids

conceal

verb con·ceal \ kən-ˈsēl \

Definition of conceal for Students

concealed; concealing

1 :to hide from sight

The safe was concealed behind a large painting.

2 :to keep secret

He managed to conceal his true identity.

Law Dictionary

conceal

transitive verb con·ceal

legal Definition of conceal

1 :to prevent disclosure of or fail to disclose (as a provision in a contract) especially in violation of a duty to disclose

2 a :to place out of sight

Note: A weapon need only be placed out of ordinary observation in order to be considered a concealed weapon.

b :to prevent or hinder recognition, discovery, or recovery of

concealing stolen property

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concealment

noun

Learn More about conceal

See words that rhyme with conceal Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for conceal Spanish Central: Translation of conceal Nglish: Translation of conceal for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of conceal for Arabic speakers

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Origin and Etymology of conceal

conceal Synonyms

Synonyms

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Related Words

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Synonym Discussion of conceal

CONCEAL Defined for English Language Learners

conceal

Definition of conceal for English Language Learners

CONCEAL Defined for Kids

conceal

Definition of conceal for Students

Law Dictionary

conceal

legal Definition of conceal

concealment

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