cover-up

noun

cov·​er-up ˈkə-vər-ˌəp How to pronounce cover-up (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Clooney inserts himself into politics — most outrageously through last year’s involvement with the cover-up of Biden’s mental decline, then with the Biden removal-coup as laid out in his July 10, 2024, New York Times op-ed. Armond White, National Review, 30 Apr. 2025 Defense highlights witness ties to police On cross-examination, attorney Alan Jackson worked to solicit testimony that would support the defense’s theory of a cover-up. Dakin Andone, CNN Money, 30 Apr. 2025 In a landmark decision Wednesday, an international human rights commission found that the U.S. is responsible for Hernández Rojas’ killing and that a cover-up followed. Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2025 The bold print adorns a majority of the capsule — 12 of the 16 pieces — spanning from swimwear and cover-ups to day-to-night ready-to wear. Emily Mercer, Footwear News, 30 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cover-up

Word History

First Known Use

1927, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of cover-up was in 1927

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cover-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cover-up. Accessed 4 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

cover-up

noun
cov·​er-up
ˈkəv-ə-ˌrəp
: a planned effort to conceal a wrongful act or situation

More from Merriam-Webster on cover-up

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