covert

adjective

co·vert | \ ˈkō-(ˌ)vərt

, kō-ˈvərt; ˈkə-vərt

Definition of covert

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : not openly shown, engaged in, or avowed : veiled a covert alliance a covert military operation

2 : covered over : sheltered covert places in the woods

covert

noun

co·vert | \ ˈkə-vərt

, ˈkō-vərt also ˈkə-vər

Definition of covert (Entry 2 of 2)

1a : hiding place : shelter

b : a thicket affording cover for game

c : a masking or concealing device

2 : a feather covering the bases of the quills of the wings and tail of a bird — see wing illustration

3 : a firm durable twilled sometimes waterproofed cloth usually of mixed-color yarns

Other Words from covert Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about covert

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Choose the Right Synonym for covert

Adjective

secret, covert, stealthy, furtive, clandestine, surreptitious, underhanded mean done without attracting observation. secret implies concealment on any grounds for any motive. met at a secret location covert stresses the fact of not being open or declared. covert intelligence operations stealthy suggests taking pains to avoid being seen or heard especially in some misdoing. the stealthy step of a burglar furtive implies a sly or cautious stealthiness. lovers exchanging furtive glances clandestine implies secrecy usually for an evil, illicit, or unauthorized purpose and often emphasizes the fear of being discovered. a clandestine meeting of conspirators surreptitious applies to action or behavior done secretly often with skillful avoidance of detection and in violation of custom, law, or authority. the surreptitious stockpiling of weapons underhanded stresses fraud or deception. an underhanded trick

Examples of covert in a Sentence

Adjective

He has taken part in a number of covert military operations. spy agencies taking covert action

Noun

set up a covert from which to watch wildlife without being detected the rabbit rushed to the safety of the nearest covert

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Authorities also found evidence of covert cameras and instruction manuals for the cameras, according to testimony at the detention hearing. — Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al.com, "Hidden cameras, voyeurism, violent porn among accusations against Vestavia Hills pain doctor arrested by feds," 8 June 2019 The president also reportedly exposed a covert Navy SEAL deployment. — Alexia Underwood, Vox, "Trump’s secret trip to Iraq didn’t quite go as planned," 27 Dec. 2018 ABC News reported Trump has signed off on the pardon for Libby, who was convicted in 2007 of lying to the FBI and obstructing justice in the investigation into the leak of the identity of covert CIA operative Valerie Plame. — Leada Gore, AL.com, "Trump plans to pardon Scooter Libby," 13 Apr. 2018 Vance has also spent months examining Weinstein's finances regarding his use of nondisclosure agreements to hide his alleged attacks and his use of covert operatives to dig into his accusers. — Richard Winton, latimes.com, "Fate of Harvey Weinstein sexual assault cases now in hands of two cautious prosecutors," 20 Mar. 2018 By the mid-1970s, the CIA and FBI were facing a growing public outcry after a series of journalistic exposés revealed highly controversial covert activities at home and abroad. — Sadie Gurman, WSJ, "Attorney General Nominee Barr Helped Navigate CIA Through Rocky Times With Congress," 12 Feb. 2019 The Russian Federation — an adversary of the United States — engaged in a covert intelligence effort to influence the outcome of the 2016 presidential election. — Murray Waas, Vox, "Exclusive: Paul Manafort advised White House on how to attack and discredit investigation of President Trump," 14 Dec. 2018 In addition to these scenarios, abusive behaviors at work can be classified as either overt—direct acts of hostility in front of customers, in meetings, in group Slack channels—or covert, behind-the-scenes passive aggressiveness or undermining. — Jessica Wakeman, Glamour, "Men Who Scream at Work Aren't "Passionate." They're Abusive.," 4 Sep. 2018 After all, planning a wedding is probably just as covert and elaborate an operation as shooting a beloved HBO costume drama. — Katherine Cusumano, Glamour, "Sophie Turner and Maisie Williams Had a Very Specific Self-Care Ritual to Deal With Game of Thrones Stress," 8 Oct. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The two-person rear bench seat coverts into a small double bed and a second double bed fits in the pop-top, allowing the Sixty to sleep four. — Megan Barber, Curbed, "This Westfalia camper van is giving us 1950s-diner vibes," 1 Oct. 2018 To keep these images and video covert, cheaters may have a special cloud service. — Kim Komando, Fox News, "8 clever ways that tech can reveal a cheating spouse," 15 Sep. 2018 Gates himself has already pleaded guilty to conspiracy and lying to the FBI and vowed to help Mueller's investigation into Russia's covert influencing of the election. — Josh Hafner, USA TODAY, "OnPolitics Today: VA chief David Shulkin is done. Next up for Trump? Amazon, maybe," 28 Mar. 2018 When spelling the word out doesn’t work, Pig Latin is another way to keep, say, a potential trip to the ark-pay or oo-zay covert. — Mark Peters, BostonGlobe.com, "Pig Latin is alive and ellway," 11 Mar. 2018 The new count includes covert as well as temporary units, defense officials said. — Helene Cooper, New York Times, "U.S. Says It Has 11,000 Troops in Afghanistan, More Than Formerly Disclosed," 30 Aug. 2017 Regardless, losing 2-1 to Trinidad/Tobago in a qualifier Tuesday – and thus being eliminated from the 2018 World Cup – ain’t gonna create more coverts to the church of futbol. — Paul Daugherty, Cincinnati.com, "Doc: More of the same from Dusty Baker; Goodell misplaces his spine," 11 Oct. 2017 Prosecutors said the provision hampered their covert, undercover and sting investigations. — Sam Roberts, New York Times, "Joseph M. McDade, 18-Term Pennsylvania Congressman, Dies at 85," 26 Sep. 2017 How British democracy was subverted through a covert, far-reaching plan of coordination enabled by a US billionaire. — Will Bunch, Philly.com, "The key to the Trump-Russia scandal? Follow the data," 13 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'covert.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.