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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
To say Alma is caught in the middle doesn’t cover the half of it. Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 8 Oct. 2025 Cumbia Across Latin America, is a visual report covering the people, places and cultures that keep this music genre alive in six countries. Brittney Melton, NPR, 8 Oct. 2025
Noun
The 10-inch covers include cheerful snowmen, reindeer, and wintery green. Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025 Get your beauty sleep with these Beautyrest pillows that come encased in a durable, cotton cover, or take a nap with the Benvwe Faux Fur Blanket. Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Oct. 2025
Noun
Culinary pleasures include Ristorante La Pace alla Scarrupata, a casual, wear your best cover-up kind of tavern reachable from the water. Jacqui Gifford, Travel + Leisure, 29 Sep. 2025 In addition to a large blue ring, the singer also accessorized with a black long-sleeve cover-up. Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cover

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Cite this Entry

“Cover.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cover. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.

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