cover-up

noun

cov·​er-up ˈkə-vər-ˌəp How to pronounce cover-up (audio)
Synonyms of cover-upnext
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.
To survive the tropical heat and humidity, vibrant bathing suits and versatile cover-ups are your best friends. Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 May 2026 And what began as a cover-up grew into an art form, establishing Grasse as the perfume capital of the world. Cecilia Vega, CBS News, 3 May 2026 The lightweight fabric is soft to the touch and easy to pack, doubling as a chic swimsuit cover-up or as an everyday bohemian style when worn with a liner for more coverage, or layered under a longer button-up. Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 1 May 2026 Then one evening, the production teetered on the brink — an arrest, a cover-up, and a crisis that could have shut the film down entirely. Tony Lee Moral, IndieWire, 27 Apr. 2026 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 6 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

cover-up

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

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