Definitions

cover-up

[kuhv-er-uhp] / ˈkʌv ərˌʌp /

NOUN

concealing; preventing investigation or exposure

Synonyms

STRONGEST

complicity conspiracy evasion

STRONG

burial camouflage concealment dissimulation front masking pretense whitewash

WEAK

closeting disguising hush-up placing under wraps seal of secrecy smokescreen veil of secrecy

VERB

conceal

Synonyms

STRONG

batten black out bottle up bury camouflage conceal cover deflect disguise dissemble equivocate gloss guard hush up inhume inter mask misinform misrepresent misrepresent/misquote obscure paint protect screen secrete shelter shield stifle suppress veil

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Her family had alleged that the first post-mortem was flawed and accused the police of a cover-up, a charge the police denied.

From BBC • May 29, 2026

Speaking to journalists in Finland, where he is attending a security summit, Sir Keir Starmer speculation McSweeney's account could be untrue and the government was involved in a cover-up was wrong.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

“It’s incredibly serious, points to a possible cover-up and is something that is just developing,” he said.

From Salon • Feb. 24, 2026

Attorney Mark Geragos, who represented Tipping’s father, accused the department of a cover-up by failing to turn over key evidence, such as a training baton used during the scenario.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 19, 2026

The truth was also coming out about Nixon’s cover-up of the Watergate break-in.

From "Boots on the Ground: America's War in Vietnam" by Elizabeth Partridge

cover-up

Example Sentences

Related Words