cover 1 of 2

verb

ˈkə-vər How to pronounce cover (audio)
Definition of covernext
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

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2
as in to coat
to form a layer over by morning a foot of snow covered the ground

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3
as in to shield
to place a protective layer over better cover your skin with sunblock if you don't want a sunburn, not to mention skin cancer

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

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5
as in to conceal
to keep secret or shut off from view covered the foxhole with grass and leaves

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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

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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

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

cover

2 of 2

noun

1
as in lid
a piece placed over an open container to hold in, protect, or conceal its contents where's the cover for the cookie jar?

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2
as in defense
means or method of defending provided cover while their comrades ran for safety

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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
Verb
Two additional circular openings sit atop the spine, with mesh screens covering them. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2026 District 22, which primarily covers south Meridian, was on a trajectory to stay red. — Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 4 Nov. 2026
Noun
Prosecutors said that, dating back to 2007, Tamal and Jerry Flore adopted children for financial gain and subjected them to abuse under the cover of discipline. — CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026 In 2016, Nature put before-and-after PET scans from an early study on its cover, showing that, as the dose increased, bright patches marking amyloid seemed to melt away. — Manvir Singh, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cover
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cover
  1. substitute
  2. coat
  3. shield
  4. concern
  5. conceal
  6. cross
  7. monitor
  8. protect
Verb
  • For the dirt topping, feel free to follow your imagination and taste, substituting or replacing any of the ingredients with your favorite chocolate cookies or treats while still keeping the visual appearance of a varied, crumbly soil.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Thompson didn’t play in the fourth quarter until being substituted in for the final 10 seconds of the contest.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of substitute
Verb
  • Cook, stirring often and adding more pasta cooking liquid as needed, until pasta is coated in a clingy sauce.
    — Chris Morocco, Bon Appetit Magazine, 4 Nov. 2026
  • The stylist loves the sulfate-free formula for detangling easily, and the way hair always feels soft afterward, not coated.
    — Valeriya Chupinina, Vogue, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of coat
Verb
  • Then there’s his mysterious deal for Venezuelan oil, which appears to have been crafted to shield the details from public scrutiny.
    — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Hundreds of protesters shielding the tent camp were dispersed by police using shields and some baton charges, the Reuters news agency reported.
    — Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of shield
Verb
  • Musk and SpaceX have been instructed to preserve records concerning restrictions imposed on a military version of the Starlink satellite internet service in Ukraine, CNN first reported, citing an aide to a Democratic senator.
    — Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2026
  • A number of women who were not known to each other came forward to officers with reports concerning Brand after that investigation was published, the Met Police said.
    — Lauren Said-Moorhouse, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of concern
Verb
  • Jenica Monique Ochoa, 45, and Kenneth Eugene Tompkins, 43, have been charged with conspiracy to commit a crime and concealing a death, according to Santa Barbara Superior Court Records reviewed by PEOPLE.
    — Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Two people have been charged with concealing a man’s death inside his Santa Barbara apartment after the body was found wrapped in a bedroll, stuffed into a metal container and covered with plastic wrap.
    — Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of conceal
Verb
  • The cruise ship Odyssey has been at sea for two years and still has a year to go to complete the globe-crossing journey.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Eight minutes and 33 seconds into the episode, Damon and Letterman play gentlemen silently crossing the street as the camera pans to the home of George Russell, who’s recovering inside after getting shot at the end of season three.
    — Alex Zalben, Vulture, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of cross
Verb
  • Samsung has been monitoring where certain departing employees went — to signal to remaining staff that moving to competitors would be difficult — according to a former employee.
    — Jenny Lee, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Operators can monitor mission assets through a unified operational picture.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of monitor
Verb
  • Made with a breathable bamboo-viscose surface and waterproof barrier, it's designed to protect against spills without the uncomfortable crinkling of traditional mattress covers.
    — Jacorey Moon, Architectural Digest, 7 Nov. 2026
  • The 100 percent polyester fabric is light, yet durable enough to protect you from unpredictable autumn weather.
    — Kate Donovan, Southern Living, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of protect

Phrases Containing cover

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covens
cover
coverage
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Cite this Entry

“Cover.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cover. Accessed 10 Nov. 2026.

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