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

Synonyms

• veil
• cloak
• shroud
• wraps
• blanket

Examples of cover-up in a Sentence

that contrived burglary was just a cover-up for murder

Recent Examples on the Web

Attorney General Pam Bondi recently fanned the flames of those espousing a government cover-up about the Epstein evidence. —Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 12 July 2025

Some conspiracy theorists formerly loyal to Trump have suggested a cover-up is afoot to protect the president, who was friendly with Epstein. —Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 11 July 2025

Wear it solo as a beach cover-up or pair it with jeans for an easy summer staple. —Jamie Fischer, Southern Living, 11 July 2025

Use it as a cover-up for a pool day, or add a denim jacket, waist-cinching belt, and sneakers for an easy going-out ensemble. —Mia Huelsbeck, People.com, 11 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1927, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for cover-up

• buttercup
• backup
• blowup
• breakup
• buildup
• checkup
• cleanup
• holdup
• hookup
• lineup
• lockup
• makeup

Kids Definition

cover-up

noun

cov·​er-up

ˈkəv-ə-ˌrəp

: a planned effort to conceal a wrongful act or situation