1
as in to substitute
to serve as a replacement usually for a time only
a friend covered for me as a hospital volunteer while my family went on vacation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
3
4
as in to concern
to have (something) as a subject matter
this section of the book covers kitchen makeovers for the enterprising do-it-yourselfer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to conceal
to keep secret or shut off from view
covered the foxhole with grass and leaves
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in to cross
to make one's way through, across, or over
we usually manage to cover a lot of ground in a single day
Synonyms & Similar Words
7
as in to monitor
to pay continued close attention to (something) for a particular purpose
I'll cover the reception desk while you take a break
Synonyms & Similar Words
8
as in to protect
to drive danger or attack away from
covered the wounded soldier until he could be rescued from the downed chopper
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in defense
means or method of defending
provided cover while their comrades ran for safety
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in covering
something that encloses another thing especially to protect it
put the restaurant menus in clear plastic covers so that they would last longer
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in replacement
a person or thing that takes the place of another
people may only skip their shifts if they find a cover for themselves first
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in roof
a raised covering over something for decoration or protection
all of the exhibits at the fair are under cover, so the weather won't be a factor
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in veil
something that covers or conceals like a piece of cloth
under cover of friendship the con man insinuated himself in the lives of the unsuspecting couple
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of cover
Oliver Whang, New Yorker, 7 Aug. 2025
Another layer of pastry sits atop the mixture and is covered in crystal sugar, which adds a nice sweetness to contrast the tart filling, as well as a delicate crunch in each bite.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 7 Aug. 2025
David Browne, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2025
Directed by Henry-Alex Rubin and produced by Smuggler, the film is set to a thrash metal cover of Irving Berlin’s Blue Skies.
—Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cover
Verb
But most of the network’s funds cover everyday production costs, including salaries for a small newsroom and production for hyperlocal stories: updates on waste-management contracts, interviews with local musicians, searches for lost animals.
—Oliver Whang, New Yorker, 7 Aug. 2025
Another layer of pastry sits atop the mixture and is covered in crystal sugar, which adds a nice sweetness to contrast the tart filling, as well as a delicate crunch in each bite.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 7 Aug. 2025
Noun
Long a cult figure best known for cover versions of his songs by the way-different likes of Kenny Rogers and Madness, Labi Siffre has lately undergone a Nick Drake-like moment.
—David Browne, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2025
Directed by Henry-Alex Rubin and produced by Smuggler, the film is set to a thrash metal cover of Irving Berlin’s Blue Skies.
—Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cover
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cover
Verb
-
This article is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice.—
Matt Emma,
USA Today,
4 Aug. 2025
-
Son Heung-min was substituted on 63 minutes, receiving a standing ovation and getting a guard of honor from the players on the pitch before hugging all the members of the Spurs bench as the crowd chanted his name.—
Steve Price,
Forbes.com,
3 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Some dailies, for example, are coated with phospholipid, which is what cell membranes are made of.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
7 Aug. 2025
-
For a delicious, air fryer-friendly cheese recipe, try coating your cheese in breading.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Parents are supposed to shield our young from those dangers.—
Andy Crump,
Time,
9 Aug. 2025
-
At one point in the war, the Israel Defense Forces discovered an entire Hamas data center and server farm underneath a U.N. office, which was sharing its access to the electric grid with a room full of Hamas servers and whose placement served to shield the Hamas command center from the IDF.—
Seth Mandel,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
On the back of that victory, players recently filed a class action lawsuit against FIFA concerning its rules on player movement.—
Chris Deubert,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
The cloud, resisted a decade ago by fashion executives concerned about ensuring IP secrecy, is now essential.—
Rhonda Richford,
Footwear News,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Federal prosecutors say this was part of a broader scheme to conceal the pair’s personal relationship while billing the city for on-duty hours.—
Jasmine Baehr , David Spunt , Bill Mears,
FOXNews.com,
16 Aug. 2025
-
Video posted by the agency shows a man grabbing Megara and attempting to conceal the turkey under his coat before walking away.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The number of returnees hit a record high in July, when over 50,000 people crossed the border on a single day.—
Sarah Ferguson,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
-
Wolves came to Isle Royale about six decades ago by crossing a frozen Lake Superior in winter.—
Keith Matheny,
Freep.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Each summer, Iceland’s road authorities monitor conditions before declaring the F-roads open.—
David Nikel,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
-
Owen — who has monitored the species in the Arctic wild — said monitoring Kalluk at the zoo also helped with better understanding polar bears’ body weight and fat stores, and therefore conservation efforts to protect them.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The archipelago, protected as a national park, hums with quiet life—salt flats blush rose in the heat, and mangroves cradle herons in leafy stillness.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
-
The original bronze statue—the first in the world—was erected in 1980 at the same location but was moved indoors in 1996 to the downtown Memphis Tennessee State Welcome Center to protect it from the elements and over-adoring fans.—
Korrin Bishop,
Southern Living,
7 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cover.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cover. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share