covert

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

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

—

covertly

adverb

—

covertness

noun

See covert defined for English-language learners

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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

On the form, dated July 25, Peters described being in a covert position and observing a drug transaction by a man who then got into a car with a black bag, which Peters believed held a large volume of drugs.

— kevin rector, baltimoresun.com, "Baltimore officer in second body-camera video says drug discovery was legitimate, and explained to prosecutors last spring," 9 Aug. 2017
These zoologists know how to navigate the untamed land, accurately identify diurnal and nocturnal creatures and place covert camera traps to photograph the most elusive wildlife.

— kyle frischkorn, Smithsonian, "How Fly Guts Help Researchers Catalog the Rainforest," 7 Aug. 2017
As the NSC’s senior director for intelligence programs, Cohen-Watnick was one of about a dozen people in the White House with access to a full range of classified information, including details of U.S. covert programs.

— vivian salama, The Seattle Times, "White House fires a top intelligence adviser," 2 Aug. 2017
The agents have grounds to believe X may be a covert agent for China.

— andrew c. mccarthy, National Review, "Sessions, Trump, and the ‘Counterintelligence’ Confusion," 26 July 2017
Pompeo sidestepped a question about a Washington Post report this week that Trump has ordered an end to the CIA’s covert -- but widely known -- program to arm and train moderate rebels in Syria, as Russia had long demanded.

— nafeesa syeed, Bloomberg.com, "CIA Chief Warns Russian, Iranian Aims in Syria Threaten the U.S.," 21 July 2017
Washington (AP) -- President Donald Trump has decided to halt the CIA's years-long covert program to arm and train moderate Syrian rebels battling the regime of the nation's president Bashar al-Assad.

— Bloomberg.com, "Report: Trump Ends Covert Plan to Arm Syrian Rebels," 20 July 2017
Senior U.S. officials said that the covert program would be phased out over a period of months.

— greg jaffe and adam entous, chicagotribune.com, "Trump ends covert CIA program to arm anti-Assad Syran rebels, a move sought by Russia," 19 July 2017
U.S. officials said that Trump will end a covert CIA program that aided moderate Syrian rebels battling the Syrian government.

— elaine godfrey, The Atlantic, "The Atlantic Politics & Policy Daily: Repeal and Dismay," 19 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.

Origin and Etymology of covert

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

covert Synonyms

Synonyms

cloistered, secluded, hidden, isolated, quiet, remote, retired, secret, sheltered

Antonyms

open, overt, public

Related Words

lone, lonely, lonesome, reclusive, solitary; private

Near Antonyms

obvious, visible; exposed

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.

- 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

covert

noun co·vert \ ˈkə-vərt , ˈkō-vərt also ˈkə-vər \

Definition of covert

1 a :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

Examples of covert in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of covert from the Web

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
Young argued to a San Diego judge that both Panesar and Hastie should remain in custody, noting the significant evidence obtained during the FBI’s yearlong covert wiretap investigation.

— kristina davis, sandiegouniontribune.com, "FBI: More victims likely scammed by fake DHS agents in immigration fraud case," 8 July 2017
Kooler Klub Price: $40.95 An inconspicuous 3-wood with a dispenser right in its head—stock up and enlist a caddy just to transport your covert full bar from hole to hole.

— molly fitzpatrick, Bon Appetit, "15 Highly Unlikely Flasks to Hide Your Booze In," 9 June 2017
Kooler Klub Price: $40.95 An inconspicuous 3-wood with a dispenser right in its head—stock up and enlist a caddy just to transport your covert full bar from hole to hole.

— molly fitzpatrick, Bon Appetit, "15 Highly Unlikely Flasks to Hide Your Booze In," 9 June 2017
And to keep the gathering covert, Trubisky made the reservation for six under an alias: James McMahon.

— dan wiederer, chicagotribune.com, "How a visit to Chapel Hill solidified the Bears' conviction in Mitch Trubisky," 19 May 2017

Origin and Etymology of covert

see ¹covert

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

covert Synonyms

Synonyms

concealment, hideout, den, hermitage, hideaway, hidey-hole (or hidy-hole), lair, nest

Related Words

blind, cover, nook, recess; hangout, harbor, harborage, haunt, haven, redoubt, refuge, retreat, shelter

Other Hunting and Fishing Terms

chum, creel, flense, pitfall, seine, skulk, spoor, trawl

COVERT Defined for English Language Learners

covert

adjective

Definition of covert for English Language Learners

: made, shown, or done in a way that is not easily seen or noticed : secret or hidden

COVERT Defined for Kids

covert

adjective co·vert \ ˈkəv-ərt , ˈkō-vərt \

Definition of covert for Students

:made or done secretly

a covert glance

covert military operations

—

covertly

adverb

covert

noun

Definition of covert for Students

1 :a hiding place (as a thicket that gives shelter to game animals)

2 :one of the small feathers around the bottom of the quills on the wings and tail of a bird

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See words that rhyme with covert Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for covert Spanish Central: Translation of covert Nglish: Translation of covert for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of covert for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about covert

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covert

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covertly

covertness

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Examples of covert in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of covert

covert Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

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Near Antonyms

Synonym Discussion of covert

covert

Definition of covert

Examples of covert in a Sentence

Recent Examples of covert from the Web

Origin and Etymology of covert

covert Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Other Hunting and Fishing Terms

COVERT Defined for English Language Learners

covert

Definition of covert for English Language Learners

COVERT Defined for Kids

covert

Definition of covert for Students

covertly

covert

Definition of covert for Students

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