1
as in to substitute
to serve as a replacement usually for a time only
a friend covered for me as a hospital volunteer while my family went on vacation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
3
4
as in to concern
to have (something) as a subject matter
this section of the book covers kitchen makeovers for the enterprising do-it-yourselfer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to conceal
to keep secret or shut off from view
covered the foxhole with grass and leaves
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in to cross
to make one's way through, across, or over
we usually manage to cover a lot of ground in a single day
Synonyms & Similar Words
7
as in to monitor
to pay continued close attention to (something) for a particular purpose
I'll cover the reception desk while you take a break
Synonyms & Similar Words
8
as in to protect
to drive danger or attack away from
covered the wounded soldier until he could be rescued from the downed chopper
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in defense
means or method of defending
provided cover while their comrades ran for safety
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in covering
something that encloses another thing especially to protect it
put the restaurant menus in clear plastic covers so that they would last longer
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in replacement
a person or thing that takes the place of another
people may only skip their shifts if they find a cover for themselves first
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in roof
a raised covering over something for decoration or protection
all of the exhibits at the fair are under cover, so the weather won't be a factor
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in veil
something that covers or conceals like a piece of cloth
under cover of friendship the con man insinuated himself in the lives of the unsuspecting couple
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 cover
Stephen Gruber-Miller, Des Moines Register, 9 Jan. 2026
House District 98 covers Colleyville, Grapevine, Keller and Westlake, as well as parts of Euless and Southlake.
—Eleanor Dearman
updated January 8, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Jan. 2026
Henry Austin, NBC news, 7 Jan. 2026
As the name suggests, everything—from cover to pages—is black, so just any ink won’t show up.
—Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cover
Verb
Stephen Gruber-Miller covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register.
—Noun
Dramatic videos posted on social media and verified by NBC News show security forces firing tear gas at Tehran’s main bazaar Tuesday as protesters scramble for cover into passageways and narrow streets.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for cover
Verb
-
For a non-alcoholic version, substitute the coconut rum with an equal amount of coconut water or milk, and add 1/2 teaspoon of rum extract to maintain some of the flavor notes.—
-
Silvetti picked up a yellow card in the 69th minute and was later substituted for by Yannick Bright in the 74th minute as Miami looked to bolster its defense for the final stretch of the game.—
Verb
-
Sports Equipment While the dishwasher isn't ideal for cleaning baseball caps, uniforms, or equipment heavily-coated with mud, a trip through a dishwasher cycle is ideal to remove bacteria and odors from mouth guards and hard plastic shin guards.—
-
The outer layer of the capsule is made from gelatin coated with a layer of cellulose and either molybdenum or tungsten, which blocks any RF signal from being emitted.—
Verb
-
Since oxygen is the culprit, the trick to delaying the browning process is to shield the flesh from oxygen exposure.—
-
Long shielded by her husband from the nitty-gritty of a figuratively and often physically dirty industry, Cami must transform herself from dutiful wife to energy executive powerhouse.—
Verb
-
Orpin did not respond to follow-up questions concerning the fate of the cidery's canning and retail sales operations.—
-
Other concerning signs include constipation, feeling cold all the time, lightheadedness or fainting, and missing periods in girls.—
Verb
-
The actress became pregnant with their first child while filming season 3 of The Rookie, and instead of strategically concealing her pregnancy to play Angela, creator Alexi Hawley simply wrote it into Diaz's character's storyline.—
-
Her go-to is the Madison Reed Radiant Hair Color Kit, a $35 at-home hair color box that conceals 100 percent of stubborn grays and enhances shine.—
Verb
-
No one, not even animals, were allowed to cross on foot.—
-
Controlling a fire means ensuring that the fire can't spread or cross the containment line.—
Verb
-
These are the ones most likely to be adapted for crowd monitoring throughout cities.—
-
Keep monitoring your pipes as they thaw.—
Verb
-
Leaving stems and leaves intact through winter provides extra insulation to plant roots and crowns and protects plants from cold damage.—
-
Remember, the park was originally protected because of its biodiversity, which is its biggest draw.—
Cite this Entry
“Cover.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cover. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share