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

On the other hand, the Department of Justice redacted the names of several people who are not survivors -- incensing not only members of Congress but also survivors of Epstein's crimes who charge that the administration is engaged in a cover-up. —John Parkinson, ABC News, 4 Mar. 2026

The book could play a key role for prosecutors in framing Eric Richins' death as a calculated killing with an elaborate cover-up attempt. —CBS News, 23 Feb. 2026

That means a good cover-up is a must. —Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 21 Feb. 2026

Area 51 is a classified Air Force facility in southern Nevada that has long been the focus of conspiracy theorists regarding extraterrestrial life and supposed government cover-ups. —Chad De Guzman, Time, 20 Feb. 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