HIDE Synonyms: 261 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'hide' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of hide are bury , conceal , screen , and secrete . While all these words mean "to withhold or withdraw from sight," hide may or may not suggest intent. // hide in the closet // a house hidden in the woods

Q: When might 'bury' be a better fit than 'hide'?

The words bury and hide are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, bury implies covering up so as to hide completely. // buried the treasure

Q: When could 'conceal' be used to replace 'hide'?

In some situations, the words conceal and hide are roughly equivalent. However, conceal usually does imply intent and often specifically implies a refusal to divulge. // concealed the weapon

Q: Where would 'screen' be a reasonable alternative to 'hide'?

Although the words screen and hide have much in common, screen implies an interposing of something that prevents discovery. // a house screened by trees

Q: When would 'secrete' be a good substitute for 'hide'?

The meanings of secrete and hide largely overlap; however, secrete suggests a depositing in a place unknown to others. // secreted the amulet inside his shirt

hide 1 of 3

verb (1)

ˈhīd

Definition of hide

as in to conceal

to put into a hiding place the thief had hidden the stolen jewelry under the floorboards

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to obscure

to keep secret or shut off from view he tried to hide his criminal past she hid the cat's litter box behind a screen

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to lie

to remain out of sight he hid in the closet while his roommate lied to the probation officer

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

hide

2 of 3

verb (2)

as in to lick

to strike repeatedly the grizzled quartermaster threatened to hide any soldier caught stealing provisions

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as in to whip

to strike repeatedly with something long and thin or flexible threatened to hide the boys with his cane if he ever found them on his property again

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hide

3 of 3

noun

as in pelt

the outer covering of an animal removed for its commercial value seal hides are used by Eskimos to make footwear, boats, shelters, bags, and clothing

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as in leather

the hairless natural covering of an animal prepared for use boots made of shiny alligator hide

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word hide distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of hide are bury, conceal, screen, and secrete. While all these words mean "to withhold or withdraw from sight," hide may or may not suggest intent.

hide in the closet

a house hidden in the woods

When might bury be a better fit than hide?

The words bury and hide are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, bury implies covering up so as to hide completely.

buried the treasure

When could conceal be used to replace hide?

In some situations, the words conceal and hide are roughly equivalent. However, conceal usually does imply intent and often specifically implies a refusal to divulge.

concealed the weapon

Where would screen be a reasonable alternative to hide?

Although the words screen and hide have much in common, screen implies an interposing of something that prevents discovery.

a house screened by trees

When would secrete be a good substitute for hide?

The meanings of secrete and hide largely overlap; however, secrete suggests a depositing in a place unknown to others.

secreted the amulet inside his shirt

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 hide

Verb

Russia has broadly defied economic expectations through four-and-a-half years of full-scale war with Ukraine, although analysts have suggested that cracks in Putin’s wartime economy are becoming harder to hide. — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2026 The escapee was found Tuesday night in a marsh area, cold and wet after hiding in the water for five hours, and taken into custody without incident, state police said. — Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026

Noun

The update removes cattle hides, skins and leather from the scope of regulation, along with re-treaded tires, soybeans for sowing, articles of vulcanized rubber, conveyor and transmission belts, and aircraft and automobile seats. — Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 16 July 2026 While advanced laser scanning technology ensures exceptional consistency, every hide is individually trimmed using traditional techniques and hand-finished by Morgan’s skilled craftspeople. — Andrew P. Collins, The Drive, 15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for hide

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hide

Verb

Torres was then seen on camera concealing the money inside his black jacket before entering an employee restroom, according to the report.

— Ana Maria Soler, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2026
In practical terms, someone deliberately trying to conceal Claude's involvement could simply rewrite the output substantially.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of conceal

Verb

For creators, attending a Grand Slam can signal something to their audiences beyond an interest in tennis; for brands, the appeal lies partly in associating themselves with that cachet.

— Jessica Schiffer, Vogue, 25 Aug. 2026
For now, that responsibility will lie at the feet of Giannis (who’s not a jump shooter), Adebayo or Mitchell.

— Zach Harper, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of lie

Verb

Owners should also watch for licking that is sudden, persistent or severe enough to cause hair loss or skin damage.

— Lauren Paige Richeson, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2026
Photos like the one below show children licking massive ice blocks for a slight reprieve from the summer heat.

— Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of lick

Verb

If a recipe calls for 1 cup (unwhipped) whipping cream, substitute 2 cups whipped dessert topping, such as Cool Whip.

— Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Aug. 2026
The first drops of espresso are vigorously whipped with sugar into a thick espumita froth inside the cup, before the rest is poured in, causing the caramelly-brown foam to rise to the top.

— Jennifer Leigh Parker, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of whip

Noun

Despite the early date, the pelts were thick and lush with guard hairs reaching 11 inches.

— Ron Spomer, Outdoor Life, 19 Aug. 2026
River otters were hunted by the thousands for their pelts in the 17th and 18th centuries, according to the Sacramento Zoo’s page about the animal.

— Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of pelt

Noun

The pair, who matched in black leather jackets and jeans, departed the building hand-in-hand and showed off their decorative handcuffs while sharing a steamy kiss.

— Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
The intricate leather cutouts appear across the strap across the toes and on the straps that wrap around the back of the foot.

— Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of leather

Verb

These included a child buried face down, a skeleton positioned as in a crucifixion, graves with stones placed around the skull as if to prevent biting or movement, as well as other graves with sickles and padlocks.

— Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
As the Danube waters shrank in Bulgaria, researchers were thrilled to find and recover a jawbone, tusks, a shoulder blade, ribs and other bone fragments belonging to an extinct woolly mammoth buried deep in the sand.

— CBS News, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of bury

Cite this Entry

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“Hide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hide. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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