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

Recent Examples on the Web The one-size cover-up comes in five vacation-ready shades, from classic black to a tropical green. Kristin Braswell, Travel + Leisure, 11 Mar. 2024 While Brittany sported a pair of sunglasses and a yellow and orange cover-up, Patrick wore a blue vest, black sunglasses and a straw sun hat. Becca Longmire, Peoplemag, 8 Mar. 2024 The fateful wrench from the first-season finale cover-up surfaces, as does Del fretting over how to protect the murder suspect and son of his sometimes girlfriend Grace. Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Mar. 2024 For a limited time, the brand is offering up to 50 percent off warm-weather styles like shorts, swimwear, and cover-ups. Nicola Fumo, Peoplemag, 1 Mar. 2024 This eight-episode limited podcast will delve into the mysterious death of the Butterfly King, taking listeners on a gripping journey and following a trail of dissidents, poisoners, soldiers and spies to unravel eighty years of lies and cover-ups. K.j. Yossman, Variety, 29 Feb. 2024 There’s several, actually, ranging from sinister cover-ups, to absurd speculations. Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 Thankfully, this wearable style can be dressed up with trousers or even worn as a beach cover-up to maximize its function in your closet. Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 27 Feb. 2024 Minutes after throwing punches in the fatal beating of Preston Lord, one of the teenage attackers called his father for help — and the clock on a cover-up began ticking, according to a woman who was directly involved. The Arizona Republic, 27 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cover-up.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near cover-up

Cite this Entry

“Cover-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cover-up. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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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