covert

adjective co·vert \ ˈkō-(ˌ)vərt , kō-ˈvərt ; ˈkə-vərt \

|Updated on: 11 Jul 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: covert in a Sentence

Definition of covert

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

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covertly

adverb

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covertness

noun

See covert defined for English-language learners

See covert defined for kids

Examples of covert in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of covert from the Web

Swift eschewed her semi-famous Fourth of July bash in favor of a more covert celebration in Turks and Caicos.

— rebecca farley, refinery29.com, "Taylor Swift Redeems Her 4th Of July Reputation," 6 July 2018
One set of yin-yang papers showed two payments for the same work on an unnamed film — one in the amount of $1.6 million for four days’ work, and the other, a covert bonus of $7.8 million.

— don lee, latimes.com, "In China's 'money worshiping' movie industry, stars' high pay becomes a target of the central government," 5 July 2018
But patience is a virtue, and in the last 30 pages, White gets down to the nature of the real vice, often punished by readers and critics — no longer covert or overt homosexuality but political ambiguity.

— New York Times, "What Edmund White Thinks You Should Read," 3 July 2018
The weapon is silent, as there is no gunshot, and the beam is invisible, lending itself to covert military operations.

— kyle mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "China Claims to Have a Laser Assault Rifle That Can Set Clothes on Fire," 3 July 2018
The plan was a model for covert lobbying work later by Manafort, however.

— maria danilova, The Seattle Times, "Russian charged with Trump’s ex-campaign chief is key figure," 2 July 2018
Some researchers have questioned the neurological testing by Penn doctors, while others have continued to speculate that malfunctioning surveillance equipment, covert weapons, or collective delusion may be behind the cases.

— beth mole, Ars Technica, "Brain injury, sound-attack fears spread in China as more Americans evacuated," 2 July 2018
Security analysts and Western officials say Iranian intelligence agencies maintain extensive networks in Europe to carry out covert operations.

— matthew dalton, WSJ, "Four Arrested in Alleged Plot to Bomb Anti-Iran Gathering," 2 July 2018
Its overt and covert actions have been divisive in many circles, and criticized as subversive and counter-productive to the great majority of American Jewish organizations.

— elizabeth kratz, Jewish Journal, "Habonim Dror: Building a Zionist education against the 'occupation'," 27 June 2018

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.

Origin and Etymology of covert

Middle English, from Anglo-French, past participle of coverir to cover

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

covert Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of covert

secret, covert, stealthy, furtive, clandestine, surreptitious, underhanded mean done without attracting observation. secret implies concealment on any grounds for any motive.