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 & Antonyms 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

Soon, Michel completed special training for covert operations, and was sent to England to join Operation Jedburgh. — Maggie Maloney, Town & Country, "Prince Philip’s Cousin Was a Paratrooper Who Helped Liberate France From the Nazis," 20 Aug. 2018 The more parents try to deny their kids power, the more kids will use either overt or covert strategies to keep it. — USA TODAY, "Believe it or not, parents can win the power struggle by giving kids control," 11 June 2018 During his tenure, Russia has formed overt or covert ties to right-wing parties in France, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Greece, and Bulgaria. — Jonathan Chait, Daily Intelligencer, "Will Trump Be Meeting With His Counterpart — Or His Handler?," 8 July 2018 Mr Galeotti documents how criminal figures and outfits have been useful to the Kremlin in its semi-covert operations in Ukraine. — The Economist, "Inside Vladimir Putin’s “mafia state”," 17 May 2018 Some practices are overt, such as quotas, and others covert, such as unusual product specifications, lengthy inspections of goods at entry ports and intricate licensing requirements. — Andrew Mayeda And Bryce Baschuk / Bloomberg, Time, "What Is a Trade War? Why Economists Are Worried," 24 Mar. 2018 That has led to famous scenes of covert exchanges of suitcases full of cash. — BostonGlobe.com, "How Russian spies hid behind bitcoin in hacking campaign," 14 July 2018 That has led to famous scenes of covert exchanges of suitcases full of cash. — BostonGlobe.com, "How Russian spies hid behind bitcoin in hacking campaign," 14 July 2018 What was for so long a war of words and covert actions between Israel and Iran risks moving closer to open confrontation. — Oren Liebermann, CNN, "Analysis: Iran and Israel draw closer to war than ever," 30 Apr. 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.