co·vert
ˈkō-(ˌ)vərt 
kō-ˈvərt
ˈkə-vərt
kō-ˈvərt
ˈkə-vərt
1
: not openly shown, engaged in, or avowed : veiled
a covert alliance
a covert military operation
covert racism
covertly
adverb
covertness
noun
1
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
Synonyms
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
Harmony Holiday, Los Angeles Times, 1 Dec. 2023
In 2001, General Schneider’s two sons filed a civil suit in the United States accusing Mr. Kissinger of helping to orchestrate covert activities in Chile that led to their father’s death.
—David E. Sanger, New York Times, 30 Nov. 2023
Ukraine’s domestic security service, the SBU, has carried out covert attacks on key figures inside Russia, including a car bomb that killed Daria Dugina, the adult daughter of the Russian nationalist Alexander Dugin.
—Siobhán O'Grady, Washington Post, 28 Nov. 2023
As Tehran gets closer to producing nuclear weapons, Israel might step up its covert attacks on Iran.
—Maria Fantappie and Vali Nasr, Foreign Affairs, 20 Nov. 2023
At the covert instruction of Mohamed, who told photographers about the couple’s trip, she and Dodi are photographed kissing on board the yacht without either of them knowing.
—Stephanie Kaloi, Peoplemag, 17 Nov. 2023
Much of the recent conversation about Russian propaganda efforts has focused on its covert online trolling operations.
—Kate Brady, Washington Post, 14 Nov. 2023
And covert negotiations with criminal gangs even took place.
—Nelson Rauda Zablah, The Christian Science Monitor, 30 Oct. 2023
Bernier says that DxE decided to publicly release its guide, even in the wake of Hsiung’s conviction, to help activists who are already committed to carrying out covert investigations do their work more safely and effectively.
—Andy Greenberg, WIRED, 8 Nov. 2023
Jami Miscik, Foreign Affairs, 17 Apr. 2017
The show clocks in at under a half hour, focuses on Mando, Grogu, and Bo-Katan in their new home with the Armorer and her covert, and is largely a collection of action set pieces.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 22 Mar. 2023
The main plot involves Ragnar, the kid whose helmet ceremony was interrupted in the season’s opening scene, being abducted by a dragon that has been bedeviling the covert for a while.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 22 Mar. 2023
The return to Mando’s covert was even better, as Bo-Katan is also welcomed to walk The Way alongside them, much to her surprise (and conflicted feelings).
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2023
That’s just after Mando is cast out from his Mandalorian covert for the cardinal sin of removing his helmet in the presence of others.
—Adam B. Vary, Variety, 26 May 2022
Hunting coverts of primary and secondary growth isn’t always easy, and Faust’s advice is to be physically prepared for a day in the uplands.
—Tom Keer, Field & Stream, 2 June 2020
The bonus of finding a spring singing field is that you also will have pinpointed an autumn covert.
—Tom Fegely, Field & Stream, 13 Apr. 2020
Back at the Tribe’s underground covert, the Mandalorian donates his full payment to his people.
—Alex Kane, USA TODAY, 22 Nov. 2019
See More
Adjective
Black Divas, the Black romantic leads of the singing world, have been the main attractions on this covert map, the nova that have made other stars possible.
—Harmony Holiday, Los Angeles Times, 1 Dec. 2023
In 2001, General Schneider’s two sons filed a civil suit in the United States accusing Mr. Kissinger of helping to orchestrate covert activities in Chile that led to their father’s death.
—David E. Sanger, New York Times, 30 Nov. 2023
Ukraine’s domestic security service, the SBU, has carried out covert attacks on key figures inside Russia, including a car bomb that killed Daria Dugina, the adult daughter of the Russian nationalist Alexander Dugin.
—Siobhán O'Grady, Washington Post, 28 Nov. 2023
As Tehran gets closer to producing nuclear weapons, Israel might step up its covert attacks on Iran.
—Maria Fantappie and Vali Nasr, Foreign Affairs, 20 Nov. 2023
At the covert instruction of Mohamed, who told photographers about the couple’s trip, she and Dodi are photographed kissing on board the yacht without either of them knowing.
—Stephanie Kaloi, Peoplemag, 17 Nov. 2023
Much of the recent conversation about Russian propaganda efforts has focused on its covert online trolling operations.
—Kate Brady, Washington Post, 14 Nov. 2023
And covert negotiations with criminal gangs even took place.
—Nelson Rauda Zablah, The Christian Science Monitor, 30 Oct. 2023
Bernier says that DxE decided to publicly release its guide, even in the wake of Hsiung’s conviction, to help activists who are already committed to carrying out covert investigations do their work more safely and effectively.
—Andy Greenberg, WIRED, 8 Nov. 2023
Noun
The president is the country’s top intelligence consumer and the only person who can authorize a covert
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—Jami Miscik, Foreign Affairs, 17 Apr. 2017
The show clocks in at under a half hour, focuses on Mando, Grogu, and Bo-Katan in their new home with the Armorer and her covert, and is largely a collection of action set pieces.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 22 Mar. 2023
The main plot involves Ragnar, the kid whose helmet ceremony was interrupted in the season’s opening scene, being abducted by a dragon that has been bedeviling the covert for a while.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 22 Mar. 2023
The return to Mando’s covert was even better, as Bo-Katan is also welcomed to walk The Way alongside them, much to her surprise (and conflicted feelings).
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2023
That’s just after Mando is cast out from his Mandalorian covert for the cardinal sin of removing his helmet in the presence of others.
—Adam B. Vary, Variety, 26 May 2022
Hunting coverts of primary and secondary growth isn’t always easy, and Faust’s advice is to be physically prepared for a day in the uplands.
—Tom Keer, Field & Stream, 2 June 2020
The bonus of finding a spring singing field is that you also will have pinpointed an autumn covert.
—Tom Fegely, Field & Stream, 13 Apr. 2020
Back at the Tribe’s underground covert, the Mandalorian donates his full payment to his people.
—Alex Kane, USA TODAY, 22 Nov. 2019
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'covert.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing covert
Dictionary Entries Near covert
Cite this Entry
“Covert.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/covert. Accessed 9 Dec. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
covert
1 of 2 adjective
co·vert
ˈkō-(ˌ)vərt
kō-ˈvərt
kō-ˈvərt
ˈkəv-ərt
1
: not openly made or done
covert military operations
2
: covered over : sheltered
a covert nook
covertly
adverb
covertness
noun
More from Merriam-Webster on 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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