covers 1 of 2

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

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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
The campus includes a towering museum that covers the political and personal realms of the nation’s first Black president and first lady, while public spaces include a branch of the Chicago Public Library, a playground and athletic center, basketball courts and a picnic area with grills. ABC News, 19 June 2026 The weather service office in Lincoln, which covers central Illinois, said Thursday that several tornadoes were reported with wind gusts up to 80 mph, as well as hail up to 3 inches in diameter. Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2026 Alexandra Koch is a Fox News Digital journalist who covers breaking news, with a focus on high-impact events that shape national conversation. Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 19 June 2026 Don't go into a basement, or any room, if water covers the electrical outlets or if cords are submerged. Star-Telegram Weather Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 June 2026 With support from the ADG Community Journalism Project, LEARNS reporter Josh Snyder covers the impact of the law on the K-12 education system across the state, and its effect on teachers, students, parents and communities. Arkansas Online, 19 June 2026 Nickel is a critical spot in today’s NFL because that position covers every team’s slot receiver, handling roughly 700 defensive snaps a season. Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 18 June 2026 While Vilsaint was a trooper, King commanded District 2 in Troop D, which is based in Orlando and covers six Central Florida counties. Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 June 2026 Advertisement The standard covers wide ground in significant detail. Justin Worland, Time, 12 June 2026
Noun
The handwoven wicker is wrapped around a sturdy steel frame that's built to withstand the elements, while the weather-resistant cushions come with removable, machine-washable covers for easy upkeep. Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 25 June 2026 Rockwell, who became famous for his illustrations of everyday American life that graced covers of the Saturday Evening Post, spent hours at the White House people-watching from a chair in the West Wing lobby, McLaurin said. ABC News, 25 June 2026 That is the takeaway from new research that studied a quarter-century worth of runway images, advertising, magazine covers, and editorial spreads. Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 24 June 2026 The plan is for every vehicle coming off the line to be the same to reduce complexity, before the addition of any features or different covers/tops such as fastback or squared-off to look similar to a Jeep Wrangler SUV. Michael Wayland, CNBC, 24 June 2026 This set of two throw pillow covers adds a pop of color to your outdoor space—and elevates it, too. Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 June 2026 While some luxury mattresses will be more expensive, the higher price points also come with high-end features like pillow-top covers and organic materials. Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 24 June 2026 But these covers were never going to be copies of the originals. Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 17 June 2026 Their set lists were filled with covers of songs written and performed by Muddy Waters, Elmore James, and other Black blues luminaries. Steve Bloom, Rolling Stone, 16 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for covers
Verb
  • No program substitutes for that.
    Desmon Yancy, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2026
  • But no technology substitutes for the human infrastructure, partnerships, and political will that made the old system work.
    Stephanie Psaki, The Atlantic, 22 May 2026
Verb
  • 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
  • The ranch flavor is prominent and generously coats your fingers (in the best way).
    Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 6 June 2026
Verb
  • Forbes estimates that the provision shields him from civil tax liabilities in the range of $600 million.
    Nick Akerman, New York Daily News, 12 June 2026
  • Or that its status as a tradition shields it from reproach.
    Jack Lang, New York Times, 11 June 2026
Verb
  • The pact also fails to address Iran’s missile program and its network of proxy militant groups – concerns many Gulf states consider more immediate than Tehran’s nuclear activities.
    Nic Robertson, CNN Money, 24 June 2026
  • However, the most noteworthy information in the report concerns the Florida spaceport, where demand from SpaceX’s Starship and Blue Origin’s New Glenn launch vehicles is expected to stress NASA.
    Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 22 June 2026
Verb
  • Mark Lee takes on the role of Long, a powerful crime boss whose calm demeanor conceals a dangerous and unpredictable nature.
    Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 23 June 2026
  • The wardrobe conceals a kettle, drinks and snacks plus minibar, robes and the bang-on-trend bonus of a straw basket, to use during your stay.
    Adrienne Wyper, TheWeek, 22 June 2026
Verb
  • His voyage is detailed by Homer in the Odyssey, a chronicle of the maritime obstacle course that Odysseus traverses in order to get home to Ithaca.
    Gitanjali Roy, Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 June 2026
  • Here, the Road Runner Express coaster traverses 679 feet of track through desert trails.
    Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 8 June 2026
Verb
  • For electric cars, this software monitors battery temperature, health and power distribution to maximize range and controls brake regeneration.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 June 2026
  • At this very moment, during the Semi-Annual Sale, deals are better than ever, and that’s coming from me, a shopping editor who monitors B&BW sales around the clock.
    Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 23 June 2026
Verb
  • That disincentivizes physical attacks (such as cold-boot attacks) and better protects user data.
    Jon Martindale, PC Magazine, 22 June 2026
  • Curbing an infectious disease abroad protects health at home, reducing the risk of cross-border transmission and lowering the chance of new, costlier public health threats.
    Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 22 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Covers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/covers. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.

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