covers 1 of 2

present tense third-person singular of cover
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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

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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

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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?

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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

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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 covers
Verb
Don't go into a basement, or any room, if water covers the electrical outlets or if cords are submerged. Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 10 July 2026 The order covers the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument, stretching over Palmyra and Johnston atolls and Kingman Reef, among others. Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026 But stinkhorns, in contrast, embed spores in the slime that covers the mushroom. Leah Hudson, Popular Science, 9 July 2026 The panel covers historical context, logistics, and the economic impact of filming in San Diego. Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 2026 There are many factors to consider when choosing a gas fire pit, from cost to features to overall aesthetics, and this handy guide covers them all. Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2026 Grant Lancaster covers crime, policing and breaking news for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Grant Lancaster, Arkansas Online, 9 July 2026 Julia Gomez is a Trending reporter for USA TODAY and covers space phenomena, scientific studies and natural disasters. Julia Gomez, USA Today, 3 July 2026 Estimating some 76 million boomers will face death in the next 15 years, this fascinating film covers it all — the good, the bad, the ugly. Pete Hammond, Deadline, 2 July 2026
Noun
Variety is celebrating the 2026 Emmy nominees who have appeared on the magazine’s covers, participated in Actors on Actors and the Awards Circuit Podcast. Clayton Davis, Variety, 8 July 2026 Many of today's best kids mattresses are specifically designed for younger sleepers, with features like flippable firmness levels, washable covers, waterproof protection and low-emission materials. ABC News, 7 July 2026 What a prenup covers Prenups generally can't determine child custody or child support, because courts decide those issues based ont he child's best interests at the time of a divorce. Jasmin Suknanan, CNBC, 6 July 2026 Taking the time to clean vent covers also prevents buildup that can lead to unpleasant odors, extra noise, or premature wear on your heating and cooling system. Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 6 July 2026 For glass shades or removable covers, wash them gently with warm water and mild soap, then dry thoroughly before reinstalling. Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 July 2026 That means all the important stuff, along with some smaller accessories like weather-resistant furniture covers. Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 3 July 2026 The expenses Grapes for Glioblastoma covers are deliberately different from what cancer philanthropy typically funds. Sydney Lake, Fortune, 3 July 2026 Featuring a perspective not often seen on book covers, and the perfect balance of image and text. Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 1 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for covers
Verb
  • Another way to say this is that, in place of the extensive self-announcements Plato allows his characters, Rochester substitutes his own summary judgements, his sarcastic imitations.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 July 2026
  • Finally, because Helms-Burton gave presidents power to block these suits, the majority concluded that this mechanism substitutes for the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act rather than coexisting with it.
    Manuel A. Gómez, The Conversation, 25 June 2026
Verb
  • Mold still coats the walls along with holes in the ceiling.
    Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 26 June 2026
  • The rich blend of shea butter, murumuru butter, coconut oil, and vitamin C coats lips in lasting moisture overnight.
    Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 24 June 2026
Verb
  • The ruling retained the Fed’s special status in the government that shields it from interference by the White House—now or in the future.
    Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 30 June 2026
  • That case concerns a longstanding Supreme Court precedent that broadly shields members of such boards from being fired at will, in order to protect them from partisan interference.
    Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
Verb
  • Another issue with the heat index concerns the way that it’s calculated.
    Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 3 July 2026
  • That case concerns a longstanding Supreme Court precedent that broadly shields members of such boards from being fired at will, in order to protect them from partisan interference.
    Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
Verb
  • That statistic should be alarming, given that only about 30% of single-family homes in Chicago have central air, compared with 76% nationwide — an average that conceals a starker reality.
    Chuka Onuh, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2026
  • Paromita, a widowed teacher, conceals her loneliness behind the cover of duty and routine, while Shefali, a working wife, hides her bruises beneath concealer and silence.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 25 June 2026
Verb
  • The Art Loeb Trail traverses a few significant peaks and balds over the 6,000-foot mark and should not be overlooked.
    Josh Laskin, Travel + Leisure, 3 July 2026
  • Like Orton’s prior work, The Ground Above traverses some tricky emotional terrain.
    David Harris, SPIN, 29 June 2026
Verb
  • That moment is what Bensamoun built Fi—a smart collar company that tracks pets’ locations and monitors their health in real time—to solve.
    Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 8 July 2026
  • Greenland also guards part of what is known as the GIUK (Greenland, Iceland, United Kingdom) Gap, where NATO monitors Russian naval movements in the North Atlantic.
    Danica Kirka, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
Verb
  • Habeas corpus is a basic legal principle that protects people from being unlawfully detained and the petition allows immigrants like Wilber to challenge the legality of their detention.
    Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
  • Streamline a tricky task with a co-worker, update an invoice, or create a cleaner process that protects your time and self-respect.
    Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 10 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Covers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/covers. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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