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 next

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

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in leather

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Officials say Wedding has been hiding in Mexico for over a decade, working for the Sinaloa Cartel and their cocaine operations — shipping the drug from Columbia to the US and Canada. —

Josh Campbell, CNN Money, 23 Jan. 2026 This wasn’t the reassuring notion that transcendence hides within the everyday. —

Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 23 Jan. 2026

Noun

Right out of the hides of people who, unlike themselves, work for a living. —

Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 20 Dec. 2025 The process begins with removing the animal's flesh, freezing it, and cleaning the hide. —

Craig Shoup, Nashville Tennessean, 10 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hide

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hide

Noun

Natural fur coats come from the pelts of animals, and the fur is a protein fiber like human hair.

— Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 14 Jan. 2026
They are created by taking a lamb or sheep pelt and tanning its hide—that would be the sheepskin part of the equation—while also shaving down its wool, aka, the shearling, to a uniform length.

— Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 12 Jan. 2026

Definition of pelt

Cite this Entry

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“Hide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hide. Accessed 25 Jan. 2026.

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Last Updated: 24 Jan 2026 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of hide

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