1
as in veil
something that covers or conceals like a piece of cloth
with the commotion on the dance floor as a covering, we were able to slip out undetected
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in sheath
something that encloses another thing especially to protect it
the plastic coverings on lamp shades should be removed
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in substituting
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
2
as in coating
to form a layer over
by morning a foot of snow covered the ground
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in shielding
to place a protective layer over
better cover your skin with sunblock if you don't want a sunburn, not to mention skin cancer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in concerning
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 concealing
to keep secret or shut off from view
covered the foxhole with grass and leaves
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in traversing
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 monitoring
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 protecting
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
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 covering
Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 21 July 2025
The complaint also challenged the county’s policy that required people to remove religious head coverings for booking photos.
—Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 12 July 2025
Simon Johnson, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024
Parts of the station’s restaurant were partitioned off, and a drop ceiling was added, covering up the vaulted ceiling.
—Patrick Sauer, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for covering
Noun
Meanwhile, a beard provided a simpler solution: a luxuriant facial covering requiring only the occasional scissor trim—no barber necessary.
—Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 21 July 2025
The complaint also challenged the county’s policy that required people to remove religious head coverings for booking photos.
—Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 12 July 2025
Verb
Simon Johnson has spent the majority of his career as a sports reporter since 2000 covering Chelsea, firstly for Hayters and then the London Evening Standard.
—Simon Johnson, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024
Parts of the station’s restaurant were partitioned off, and a drop ceiling was added, covering up the vaulted ceiling.
—Patrick Sauer, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for covering
Recent Examples of Synonyms for covering
Noun
-
One through line between the films and the series are the headdresses, veils and hair jewelry.—
Rachel Elspeth Gross,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
-
The look was finished with a silk tulle veil, crystal beaded Manolo Blahnik satin sandals and a pair of sheer elbow gloves.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Remick was also one of the officers behind the fatal Feb. 4 shooting of 51-year-old Jose Mendez Rios, who officers said charged at them with what appeared to be a knife but was ultimately found to be a sheath.—
Sierra Lopez,
Mercury News,
21 Aug. 2025
-
Payne, during his review of the scene, found a leather knife sheath next to Mogen’s body in her room on the third floor of the home.—
Kevin Fixler,
Idaho Statesman,
30 July 2025
Verb
-
But the brains of the hybrid mice developed fewer of these tangles and plaques, as if the sleep mutations were protecting the animals.—
Marla Broadfoot,
Smithsonian Magazine,
26 Dec. 2024
-
This process must ensure that risk management is aligned with current regulations, established company policies and industry best practices, thereby protecting security, privacy and corporate integrity.—
Susana Sierra,
Forbes,
26 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
The cloak represents the emotional intelligence required to discern when to engage and when to protect one's energy.—
Carla D. Thompson Payton,
Forbes.com,
6 Aug. 2025
-
Whereas Survivor and Big Brother are much more like cloak and dagger.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
31 July 2025
Noun
-
The pop star also wore a push-up bra top made of glittering rhinestones — while giving the camera a sultry look from inside a tub of water, face full of makeup — for the album's main cover.—
Starr Bowenbank,
People.com,
20 Aug. 2025
-
Gloria Steinem put her on the cover of Ms. magazine in 1975.—
Katie Rife,
IndieWire,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
That said, the prevailing view of agents remains overly indexed on low-level implementation details, obscuring broader gaps that must be addressed for widespread adoption.—
Egor Pushkin,
Forbes.com,
26 Mar. 2025
-
Millions of Americans may have the chance to witness a partial solar eclipse on March 29, when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, temporarily obscuring part of the solar disk.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
In a very different way, Newcastle gave it all afternoon, running and challenging and protecting each other, treading a careful line and sometimes crossing it.—
George Caulkin,
The Athletic,
27 Dec. 2024
-
If Samuelson struggled to the line, or worse yet dropped to the ground after crossing it, that would validate those views and set back for years the fight for gender equality in the Olympics.—
Austin Knoblauch,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
With his second goal of the night, the Broncos, in their inaugural appearance in the Frozen Four, defeated the defending national champions from Denver, with their record nine national titles, 3-2 in the second double-overtime game between the teams in a month.—
Scott Wheeler,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
-
Spurs also thrashed City 4-0 at the Etihad in the league back when Pep Guardiola’s defending champions were starting to wobble but were still second in the table.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Covering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/covering. Accessed 27 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share