cover for

Jump To:

defend v.
go to bat for v.
pinch hit v.
substitute v.

VERB

defend

Synonyms

STRONGEST

advocate argue assert back champion endorse explain guarantee justify maintain stand by support uphold

STRONG

aid befriend espouse exculpate exonerate plead rationalize recommend second stonewall sustain vindicate warrant

WEAK

apologize for back up bear one out come to defense of go to bat for prove a case put in a good word ride shotgun for say in defense speak up for stand up for stick up for thump for

Antonyms

STRONGEST

oppose protest reject

STRONG

accuse blame condemn

WEAK

abandon attack deny forsake relinquish renounce

VERB

go to bat for

Synonyms

WEAK

back up defend endorse go to the wall for recommend stand behind stand by stand up for stick up for support

VERB

pinch hit

Synonyms

WEAK

act for alternate answer for back up be in place of change commute deputize displace do the work of double for fill in fill in for fill one's position go as proxy relieve replace serve in one's stead spell stand for stand in stand in for sub supersede supplant supply swap swap places with switch take another's place take over

VERB

substitute

Synonyms

STRONGEST

replace supplant swap

STRONG

alternate change commute deputize displace proxy relieve spell sub supersede switch

WEAK

act for answer for back up be in place of do the work of double for fill in for fill one's position go as serve in one's stead stand for stand in (for) swap places with take another's place take over

Antonyms

STRONG

continue keep

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.

See Examples For:

cover for

But the "Ethnic Unity Law", which comes into effect on Wednesday, will now give the Chinese government legal cover for its actions.

From BBC ● Jul. 1, 2026

She hit one glorious carving drive over extra cover for six early on and in the 15th over kicked for home by hitting spinner Sree Charani for a four and two thumping sixes.

From BBC ● Jun. 2, 2026

Underlying all that is the fragile ego of a state whose outward brassiness is often a cover for an inferiority complex stoked by its glittering neighbor.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 17, 2026

That gives Warsh some cover for arguing the picture is more complicated than the overall numbers suggest.

From Barron's ● May 14, 2026

“Yeah, I’m serious. Did you not hear me before? Ma and Pappa are worried sick about you. You can’t just walk out on them and think I’ll cover for you.”

From "When Dimple Met Rishi" by Sandhya Menon

cover for

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Related Words