covert

2 of 2

noun

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
By 2015, Obama entered into an agreement with the United Kingdom, France, Russia, China, Germany and the European Union in which Iran agreed to give up the means to make nuclear weapons and promised not to conduct any covert nuclear operations. Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 25 June 2025 That covert intervention brought something few in Washington had considered: decades of suppression of anyone deemed as an opponent of the Shah’s brutal regime. Robert Polner, New York Daily News, 23 June 2025
Noun
The show clocks in at under a half hour, focuses on Mando, Grogu, and Bo-Katan in their new home with the Armorer and her covert, and is largely a collection of action set pieces. Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 22 Mar. 2023 The main plot involves Ragnar, the kid whose helmet ceremony was interrupted in the season’s opening scene, being abducted by a dragon that has been bedeviling the covert for a while. Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 22 Mar. 2023 See All Example Sentences for covert
Recent Examples of Synonyms for covert
Adjective
  • The beachfront property is delightfully secluded and has views of Mauritius' most famous peak, Le Morne Brabant, and the vibrant Tamarin Bay.
    Julie Olum, Travel + Leisure, 29 June 2025
  • On Friday, the world’s fourth-richest man and his bride Lauren Sanchez Bezos tied the knot during a private ceremony with around 200 celebrity guests on the secluded island of San Giorgio.
    Antonio Calanni, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2025
Adjective
  • American veterans and others have traveled to smaller, clandestine clinics for treatment to deal with depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and addiction.
    Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 29 June 2025
  • Gi-hun, who’d found his way back in the clandestine gaming complex (situated inside a mountain on a remote island), is Player 456 again among a new round of contestants.
    Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2025
Noun
  • While Pakistani security forces frequently target TTP hideouts in the restive northwest and elsewhere, such operations in Kashmir are rare.
    Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 30 May 2025
  • Sipping sundowners at the glamorous beach clubs that propagate the sandy shores and cliffside hideouts along the French Riviera really shouldn’t take much convincing, but with so many charming seaside cities and villages to explore, deciding where to stay can be a challenge.
    Monica Mendal, Vogue, 8 June 2025
Noun
  • Several rural areas of the county, former ranches and citrus groves, are currently in the process of selling and are being prepared for development.
    James Wilkins, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 June 2025
  • And to a collective—of parents and grandparents and ancestors and olive groves and hillsides that endured and perished or endured and survived and passed on their memories and practices and language to me, to us.
    Cindy Juyoung Ok June 26, Literary Hub, 26 June 2025
Adjective
  • Structure your questions to expose hidden concerns.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • The rooms also feature customizable light and screen settings, as well as hidden cameras built directly into the walls.
    Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • On June 24, undercover agents attempted to purchase fireworks from Pan.
    Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 30 June 2025
  • Conan Edogawa and Detective Kogoro Mouri join the Nagano prefectural police to investigate a break-in at the observatory while uncovering a deeper plot involving undercover agents, betrayal, and vengeance.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • The group follows Amelia into a secret lair in Silicon Valley where the '80s motherboard is locked away.
    Keith Langston, People.com, 28 June 2025
  • Thanks to an incessant stream of sensational newspaper articles and a nonstop rumor mill, the public had the idea of Hollywood as a lair of iniquity and debasement.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 June 2025
Noun
  • Stopping power is provided by Tektro hydraulic brakes.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 5 July 2025
  • But now, City Council has temporarily hit the brakes.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 5 July 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Covert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/covert. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on covert

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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