covers 1 of 2

Definition of coversnext
present tense third-person singular of cover
1
as in substitutes
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
as in shields
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
5
6
7
8

covers

2 of 2

noun

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
3
4
5
as in canopies
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

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 covers
Verb
That ellipse pattern can be seen across the door panels also, and, in another first for the marque, the graphic covers both the door panel face and the armrest area. Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 1 May 2026 Irene Wright covers midterm races in Georgia as the Atlanta Connect reporter with USA Today’s Deep South Connect team. Irene Wright, USA Today, 1 May 2026 This sophisticated hat covers the head and swoops down over the eye to add a chic element of style. Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026 The school district covers parts of northern Sacramento County and enrolls around 25,000 students from diverse backgrounds, most of which are socioeconomically disadvantaged. Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 1 May 2026 Admission to the garden covers access. Pedro Moura, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026 Downs is a rare safety who covers like a cornerback, tackles like a linebacker, and blitzes like an edge rusher. Bill Jones, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026 In Georgia, extreme drought now covers 71% of the state, the highest since 2012. Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2026 Don't go into a basement, or any room, if water covers the electrical outlets or if cords are submerged. Kansas City Star Weather Bot, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2026
Noun
The coaches’ office is no bigger than a janitor’s closet, but the yellow brick walls are lined with championship pictures, motivational quotes, magazine covers of female athletes, soccer star Hope Solo, and accomplishments of each coach. Pj Green april 30, Kansas City Star, 30 Apr. 2026 April Showers Another month of books, another month of book covers. Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 30 Apr. 2026 The album, which is comprised almost wholly of covers spanning yacht rock mainstays, also includes one original Urban song to round the package out. Chris Barilla, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026 That was right in the middle of the full-on woke era where normally these covers were reserved for trans models. Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026 However, body oils, sweat, and dust mites can penetrate covers over time. Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 28 Apr. 2026 The use of fabric row covers is sometimes used to prevent infestation, but caution should be used to ensure the fabric doesn’t lie wet against developing heads, causing them to mold. Blythe Copeland, Martha Stewart, 28 Apr. 2026 These include not throwing cigarettes or matches out of moving vehicles and covering burn barrels with weighted metal covers. Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 23 Apr. 2026 Rihanna the mother has been the theme of many of her magazine covers and campaigns. Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for covers
Verb
  • Agreed, but this bill substitutes the long, painstaking and complex work of fixing California’s troubled insurance market with finger-pointing and posturing.
    Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 12 Apr. 2026
  • Rosenson said that if CRISPR is a scissor that cuts both strands of DNA, base editing is an eraser that substitutes one chemical letter, or base, in a single strand of DNA.
    David Cox, NBC news, 6 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Ngo coats the nail with a matte primer, which creates a smooth base, before buffing eye shadow across the surface with a nail sponge.
    Annie Blay-Tettey, Allure, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Algae coats the native eelgrass.
    Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The curve of the land shields the coastline from a heavier swell from the Atlantic, so the water remains calm and clear for long stretches.
    Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Packing a tent, space blanket, tarp or lightweight shelter that shields you from the elements can help if severe weather occurs or your plan takes a turn.
    Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • And most importantly, concerns that other organizations would use their spending to push for a salary tax in upcoming labor negotiations.
    Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Lack of direct tax cuts concerns GOP Republican lawmakers say Connecticut still can afford to deliver direct relief to taxpayers, provided the state does a better job controlling the growth of costs.
    Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • For the cooking areas, Rockwell’s team installed floor-to-ceiling subway tile, a giant island, and deep-green millwork from Plain English that conceals all of the essentials.
    Hannah Martin, Architectural Digest, 16 Apr. 2026
  • In fact, Nicky and Morgan’s middle-class respectability conceals an overwhelming existential paralysis.
    Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 9 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Equipped with advanced LiDAR sensors and 360-degree cameras, the humanoid autonomously traverses the site, capturing high-definition data and feeding it directly into health and safety workflows.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 23 Apr. 2026
  • The river traverses land where three generations of the Egger family once raised dairy cows.
    ABC News, ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The sensors, which are flexible and reusable after being sanitized, send data to an app that monitors a patient’s condition.
    Roni Robbins, AJC.com, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Waterbury Housing Authority executive director Chris D’Orso said there is a public road that runs between two of the buildings at Berkeley Heights, and the city monitors it carefully to ensure that people don’t block emergency vehicle or bus access.
    Ginny Monk, Hartford Courant, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • TRESemme Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Spray protects hair from heat damage caused by curling irons, flat irons and blow dryers.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 4 May 2026
  • Ticket to Work protects beneficiaries during their transition.
    French Hill, Baltimore Sun, 4 May 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Covers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/covers. Accessed 6 May. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on covers

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster