covers 1 of 2

Definition of coversnext
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

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noun

plural of cover
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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
Julia Gomez is a Trending reporter for USA TODAY and covers invasive species, space phenomena, scientific studies, natural disasters and trending news. Julia Gomez, USA Today, 15 May 2026 Elsewhere, Lirian Santos brings Brazilian soccer-fashion crossover from London, Papa Pincus turns Arsenal-fan obsession into running comedy, Bi Goes covers São Paulo matchday energy, and Skiper raps over highlights from Monterrey. Maureen Kerr, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026 But the netting observed from the satellite imagery covers the entire boat. Aditya Jadhav, Interesting Engineering, 15 May 2026 In addition to his hospitalization, Bassett's memoir also covers dark moments of fame, addiction and mental health struggles. Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026 Polybutylene piping Polybutylene piping was installed widely in Charlotte-area homes built roughly between 1978 and 1995 — a window that covers a significant share of the housing stock across Mecklenburg County. Ryan Brennan may 15, Charlotte Observer, 15 May 2026 The one-hour option is accessible in hundreds of cities and towns; the three-hour service covers over 2,000 locales. Paulina Likos, CNBC, 15 May 2026 The agreement, which will begin in full in 2031, covers both digital and physical collectibles such as player jersey patches. Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 8 May 2026 Housing, government accountability and public safety were top concerns quoted by all four, one of whom will represent the district that covers Brea, Buena Park, Fullerton, La Habra, Placentia, Stanton and parts of Anaheim. Claire Wang, Oc Register, 8 May 2026
Noun
Getting covers and shades for windows is another way to keep heat from absorbing into your home, the federal energy agency said. Hali Smith, Idaho Statesman, 14 May 2026 Officials said that when questioned upon rescue by the Harbor Master in Cartagena, Spain, the boat captain revealed that the well covers were nuclear components. ABC News, 13 May 2026 There’s a parade of VHS covers, marketing materials, merchandising tie-ins, declining box office reports, and inevitably, a flurry of blogs both detailing the series’ homophobia and transphobia, and attempting to reclaim it. Jessica Kiang, Variety, 13 May 2026 There were crystal balls and books in plastic covers on weighty furniture. Curbed Editors, Curbed, 13 May 2026 For decades, Michelle Obama and ESSENCE have existed in conversation with one another—through magazine covers, keynote interviews, and cultural moments that stretched far beyond politics and into the emotional fabric of Black life. Essence, 13 May 2026 This leads to communal warmth under the covers, though not in any romantic way, the sanctuary of companionship is what these two share. Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 13 May 2026 The Spanish investigation analyzes the unlikely choice of a round-the-world boat trip to deliver a cargo of two cranes, 100 empty containers and two large manhole covers, sailing from one Russian port to another, despite the extensive rail network that spans the country. Pau Mosquera, CNN Money, 12 May 2026 Below, see the four Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2026 covers. Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for covers
Verb
  • But the manner in which substitutes Morgan Gibbs-White, Neco Williams, Nicolas Dominguez and two-goal Callum Hudson-Odoi transformed the tie had a sobering effect on the Wrexham hierarchy.
    Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 6 May 2026
  • 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
Verb
  • Continue cooking and tossing until the tomato and fat merge to create a beautiful, glossy sauce that coats the pasta, about 30 seconds more.
    Karla Walsh, CNN Money, 12 May 2026
  • 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
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
  • Neil Chilson, head of AI policy at the Abundance Institute, tells me what concerns him about this power struggle.
    Benjamin Guggenheim, Washington Post, 12 May 2026
  • The story concerns a grieving father who, after losing his wife, sends a message out into the stars…and something out there starts to talk back.
    Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 8 May 2026
Verb
  • The therapist conceals her own malignant vices behind smiles and warmth, and the two share secrets that neither is prepared for.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 13 May 2026
  • In Fjord, once again, as with The Apprentice and A Different Man, Stan conceals his movie star looks.
    Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 11 May 2026
Verb
  • The highway traverses the ancestral homelands of more than 25 tribal nations.
    Jasmine Desiree, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
  • Over an efficient five tracks, West traverses the sonic styles of her generation — from nu-metal riffs to rage-rap 808s — with dazzling confidence.
    Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 1 May 2026
Verb
  • According to the Initiative for Medicines, Access, and Knowledge, a nonprofit group that monitors drug patents, Novo Nordisk has filed at least 49 semaglutide patents.
    Berkeley Lovelace Jr, NBC news, 13 May 2026
  • Recent wastewater data collected by Wastewater SCAN, an online service based at Stanford University that monitors municipal systems for diseases, found that parvovirus detection has increased throughout the region.
    Noe Padilla, USA Today, 13 May 2026
Verb
  • By planning ahead and putting the right policies in place, Florida and the PSC have created a model that both protects customers and supports responsible economic growth.
    Scott Bores, Sun Sentinel, 11 May 2026
  • The group also hopes this pending purchase protects the house from demolition, something the property owner is pushing for even though a previous request to demolish was denied last year.
    Ashley Grams, CBS News, 11 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Covers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/covers. Accessed 16 May. 2026.

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