Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

covert

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of covert

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

cloistered, hidden, isolated, quiet, remote, retired, secluded, secret, sheltered
Words Related to covert

lone, lonely, lonesome, reclusive, solitary

private
Near Antonyms of covert

obvious, visible

exposed
2 undertaken or done so as to escape being observed or known by others
  • a covert operation to provide aid to the rebels
Synonyms of covert

backstairs, behind-the-scenes, clandestine, furtive, hole-and-corner, hugger-mugger, hush-hush, private, privy, secret, sneak, sneaking, sneaky, stealth, stealthy, surreptitious, undercover, underground, underhand, underhanded
Words Related to covert

back-channel, closed-door, off-the-books, off-the-record

classified, confidential, restricted, top secret, undisclosed

concealed, hidden, secreted, subterranean, unadvertised, unexposed
Near Antonyms of covert

acknowledged, avowed

aboveboard, straightforward, unconcealed, undisguised

unclassified, unrestricted

clear, evident, manifest, obvious, patent, plain
Antonyms of covert

open, overt, public

Synonym Discussion of covert

secret, covert, stealthy, furtive, clandestine, surreptitious, underhanded mean done without attracting observation. secret implies concealment on any grounds for any motive.
    • met at a secret location
covert stresses the fact of not being open or declared.
    • covert intelligence operations
stealthy suggests taking pains to avoid being seen or heard especially in some misdoing.
    • the stealthy step of a burglar
furtive implies a sly or cautious stealthiness.
    • lovers exchanging furtive glances
clandestine implies secrecy usually for an evil, illicit, or unauthorized purpose and often emphasizes the fear of being discovered.
    • a clandestine meeting of conspirators
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
underhanded stresses fraud or deception.
    • an underhanded trick

covert

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of covert

1 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 of covert

concealment, den, hermitage, hideaway, hideout, hidey-hole (or hidy-hole), lair, nest
Words Related to covert

blind, cover, nook, recess

hangout, harbor, harborage, haunt, haven, redoubt, refuge, retreat, shelter
2 a thick patch of shrubbery, small trees, or underbrush
  • the rabbit rushed to the safety of the nearest covert
Synonyms of covert

boscage (also boskage), bosk (or bosque), bosquet, brake, brushwood, chaparral, coppice, copse, thicket
Words Related to covert

canebrake

brush, bush, scrub, scrubland

bramble, jungle, tangle

grove, hedge, stand, woodlot

forest, greenwood, wildwood, wood, woodland

Learn More about covert

  1. See words that rhyme with covert Dictionary: Definition of covert Spanish Central: Translation of covert Nglish: Translation of covert for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of covert for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about covert

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up covert? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

WORD OF THE DAY

teetotaler

someone who never drinks alcohol

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. intransigence, intransigent Trump cancels Davos trip.

  2. white supremacist Steve King discusses views.

  3. clemency Cyntoia Brown granted release

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games