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 of cover-up

• 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

In the early 2000s, The Boston Globe published a series of bombshell articles that exposed the cover-up of abuse within the Catholic Archdiocese of Boston. — Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 26 Sep. 2026

Serafina, the resort boutique, stocks everything from sunscreen, bathing suits, sandals, and cover-ups to grab-and-go snacks and drinks. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Sep. 2026

Subsequent revelations or cover-ups will turn a molehill into a mountain. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Sandner has suggested the conflicting records could point to a possible murder cover-up by police officials sympathetic to the Nazi Party. — Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 25 Sep. 2026

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