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

Iván stars as Joseph Santiago, a former felon who uncovers a corporate cover-up while investigating a car accident on behalf of a victim’s family. — Jack Dunn, Variety, 16 July 2026

López also recommends tossing a flowy dress over the suit or tying a sarong as a dress cover-up. — Alexandra Malmed, InStyle, 16 July 2026

It can be thrown over a swimsuit as a cover-up or paired with flat sandals for a stroll through a beach town. — Robin Raven, Travel + Leisure, 15 July 2026

The sweatshirt-fabric robes modeled on boxers' cover-ups are a nice change up from the typical hotel offerings. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 July 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