COVERT Synonyms: 116 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'covert' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of covert are clandestine , furtive , secret , stealthy , surreptitious , and underhanded . While all these words mean "done without attracting observation," covert stresses the fact of not being open or declared. // covert intelligence operations

Q: When could 'clandestine' be used to replace 'covert'?

The meanings of clandestine and covert largely overlap; however, clandestine implies secrecy usually for an evil, illicit, or unauthorized purpose and often emphasizes the fear of being discovered. // a clandestine meeting of conspirators

Q: Where would 'furtive' be a reasonable alternative to 'covert'?

The words furtive and covert can be used in similar contexts, but furtive implies a sly or cautious stealthiness. // lovers exchanging furtive glances

Q: When is 'secret' a more appropriate choice than 'covert'?

While in some cases nearly identical to covert , secret implies concealment on any grounds for any motive. // met at a secret location

Q: When is it sensible to use 'stealthy' instead of 'covert'?

The words stealthy and covert are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, stealthy suggests taking pains to avoid being seen or heard especially in some misdoing. // the stealthy step of a burglar

Q: In what contexts can 'surreptitious' take the place of 'covert'?

In some situations, the words surreptitious and covert are roughly equivalent. However, surreptitious applies to action or behavior done secretly often with skillful avoidance of detection and in violation of custom, law, or authority. // the surreptitious stockpiling of weapons

Q: When might 'underhanded' be a better fit than 'covert'?

While the synonyms underhanded and covert are close in meaning, underhanded stresses fraud or deception. // an underhanded trick

covert 1 of 2

adjective

ˈkō-(ˌ)vərt

Definition of covert

as in secluded

screened or sequestered from view a covert little hideaway that provides a lot of privacy

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in clandestine

undertaken or done so as to escape being observed or known by others a covert operation to provide aid to the rebels

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

covert

2 of 2

noun

ˈkə-vərt

as in hideout

a place where a person goes to hide or to avoid others set up a covert from which to watch wildlife without being detected

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in grove

a thick patch of shrubbery, small trees, or underbrush the rabbit rushed to the safety of the nearest covert

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word covert distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of covert are clandestine, furtive, secret, stealthy, surreptitious, and underhanded. While all these words mean "done without attracting observation," covert stresses the fact of not being open or declared.

covert intelligence operations

When could clandestine be used to replace covert?

The meanings of clandestine and covert largely overlap; however, clandestine implies secrecy usually for an evil, illicit, or unauthorized purpose and often emphasizes the fear of being discovered.

a clandestine meeting of conspirators

Where would furtive be a reasonable alternative to covert?

The words furtive and covert can be used in similar contexts, but furtive implies a sly or cautious stealthiness.

lovers exchanging furtive glances

When is secret a more appropriate choice than covert?

While in some cases nearly identical to covert, secret implies concealment on any grounds for any motive.

met at a secret location

When is it sensible to use stealthy instead of covert?

The words stealthy and covert are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, stealthy suggests taking pains to avoid being seen or heard especially in some misdoing.

the stealthy step of a burglar

In what contexts can surreptitious take the place of covert?

In some situations, the words surreptitious and covert are roughly equivalent. However, surreptitious applies to action or behavior done secretly often with skillful avoidance of detection and in violation of custom, law, or authority.

the surreptitious stockpiling of weapons

When might underhanded be a better fit than covert?

While the synonyms underhanded and covert are close in meaning, underhanded stresses fraud or deception.

an underhanded trick

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 covert

Adjective

This year has seen several notable incidents involving both overt and covert threats to undersea infrastructure, including Iranian efforts to impose fees on operators of undersea cables running through the contested Strait of Hormuz. — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 14 Oct. 2026 In late September, a covert audio-recording device was found plugged into the back of a TV in a conference room used to discuss confidential matters. — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 13 Oct. 2026

Noun

These service members may otherwise be higher earners and may have a larger pre-tax retirement account to covert. — Kate Dore, Cfp®, Ea, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2025 Renaissance alchemists kept their work covert, and few alchemical recipes have survived to modern times. — Cnn, The Mercury News, 25 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for covert

Recent Examples of Synonyms for covert

Adjective

Hampton Island, Georgia Affleck’s Georgia estate is hardly a standard holiday house and more like a secluded coastal compound.

— Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2026
There are two secluded Mallorcan calas that guests can access, with one just steps from my own door and therefore ideal for a morning dip in the still-pleasant October waters.

— Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of secluded

Adjective

There was something sad in our meetups always having to be clandestine.

— Erica Garza, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026
The arrest, the official explained, came after the Attorney General’s Office concluded that there had been misconduct in an April operation in which state officials dismantled a clandestine drug-manufacturing laboratory.

— Mauricio Torres, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of clandestine

Noun

Just a half-hour north of San Diego, the property is comprised of over 600 acres of hills, meadows, Japanese gardens, and citrus groves, including 30 miles of private hiking trails and five acres of bio-intensive gardens.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
The plan could affect not only the path that encircles the park, used by large numbers of residents, but also the golf course’s historic grove of Japanese cherry trees.

— Sophia Solano, Washington Post, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of grove

Adjective

Working with Israeli journalist David Sheen, the filmmakers seek to track down the suspects, and in one upsetting sequence, Sheen goes undercover in Israel, wearing glasses with a hidden camera to meet Fuchs.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026
The hidden bottleneck Electric motors are efficient, but not perfectly so.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of hidden

Adjective

An unverified Snapchat message, which students in France claim was written by an undercover police officer, has become the slogan of student protests.

— Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
From that moment on, Liang went all-in on becoming the beloved fighter, putting herself through an intense physical transformation to embody the undercover Interpol agent.

— Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of undercover

Noun

The marque’s Automotive Galleries and Lairs design service—which specializes in car galleries and lairs, hence the name—joined forces with local firm S3 Architecture to weave Aston Martin’s design DNA into the rugged Upstate environment.

— Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 20 Oct. 2026
This transforms Huston into a colorful enchantress with her grim lair now becoming a lush Greek-like temple.

— Jeff Spry, Space.com, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of lair

Noun

Butler said there seemed to be no warning before the man was tossed into nearby bushes.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026
Inspired by imagery in the folkloric tome Grimms’ Fairy Tales, the lights mimic thorny bushes like blackthorn and rose, both used in witchcraft.

— Francesca Perry, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of bush

Browse Nearby Words

covers (up)

covert

covertly

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“Covert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/covert. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of covert

adjective

noun

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