un·der·cov·er
ˌən-dər-ˈkə-vər 
: acting or executed in secret
specifically
: employed or engaged in spying or secret investigation
an undercover agent
undercover
adverb
Examples of under cover in a Sentence
Adjective
an undercover operation to infiltrate the terrorist organization
for months she's been an undercover agent pretending to be a drug dealer
Noun
within the city was a well-organized fifth column, and these undercovers would make themselves known as soon as the invading forces breached the city limits
Recent Examples on the Web
Logan Smith, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026
Washington's new measure prohibits law enforcement officers from wearing face coverings while interacting with the public, with exceptions for undercover and tactical team officers, religious purposes and medical masks.
—Arkansas Online, 20 Mar. 2026
Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Mar. 2026
Sources close to production reveal his character is working undercover.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for under cover
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
The girl was discovered standing on the corner of East Colfax and North Clinton Street by undercover officers on September 13, 2024, according to the DA's press release.
—Logan Smith, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026
Washington's new measure prohibits law enforcement officers from wearing face coverings while interacting with the public, with exceptions for undercover and tactical team officers, religious purposes and medical masks.
—Arkansas Online, 20 Mar. 2026
Noun
Meanwhile, Chee goes further undercover.
—Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Mar. 2026
Sources close to production reveal his character is working undercover.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for under cover
Cite this Entry
“Under cover.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/under%20cover. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
