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
Examples of cover-up in a Sentence
that contrived burglary was just a cover-up for murder
Recent Examples on the Web
The trial in New York has been marked by graphic testimony from inside Combs’ music empire, alleging a pattern of violence, threats and cover-ups that prosecutors have likened to a mob-like criminal enterprise.
—
Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2025
That process was used to address President Harry S. Truman’s seizure of steel mills during the Korean War (Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co. v. Sawyer) and President Richard Nixon’s obligation to surrender White House tapes for use in Watergate cover-up trials (United States v. Nixon).
—Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 30 June 2025
Whimsical yet practical, this white lace cover-up will be your go-to look for easy summer beach days.
—Rana Good, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
This breezy midi dress can be styled three ways without even trying: as a swim cover-up, a casual winery outfit with wedges and sunnies, or dressed up for dinner with metallic sandals.
—Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 29 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for cover-up
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Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2025
That process was used to address President Harry S. Truman’s seizure of steel mills during the Korean War (Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co. v. Sawyer) and President Richard Nixon’s obligation to surrender White House tapes for use in Watergate cover-up trials (United States v. Nixon).
—Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 30 June 2025
Whimsical yet practical, this white lace cover-up will be your go-to look for easy summer beach days.
—Rana Good, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
This breezy midi dress can be styled three ways without even trying: as a swim cover-up, a casual winery outfit with wedges and sunnies, or dressed up for dinner with metallic sandals.
—Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 29 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for cover-up
Cite this Entry
“Cover-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cover-up. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
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