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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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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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cover

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noun (1)

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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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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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cover (up)

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verb (2)

cover-up

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noun (2)

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
This particular freedom day's origin story is a bit murky given how few newspapers covered African American celebrations in the late 19th century. Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 20 June 2025 Combined, Medicaid and CHIP protect nearly half of all children in the United States, beginning with important prenatal care, covering over 40% of U.S. births as well as nearly half of all rural births, and continuing to insure millions of vulnerable children into young adulthood. Cory Turner, NPR, 20 June 2025
Noun
But this album cover does feel like her attempt to participate in a cherished tradition for women in pop music. Taylor Crumpton, Time, 20 June 2025 As an illustrator, Sartain created the cover for Leon Russell’s 1975 album Will O’ the Wisp (Russell was from Oklahoma, too). Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 20 June 2025
Noun
All that emotion is often just a cover-up for disappointment. Jann Blackstone, Chicago Tribune, 10 June 2025 Needless to say, Corcoran's look drew inspiration from none other than Stewart, who wore a plunging white swimsuit and a dramatic cover-up for the shoot. Michelle Lee, People.com, 6 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for cover

Cite this Entry

“Cover.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cover. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.

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