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Definition of concealnext

Synonym Chooser

How is the word conceal distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of conceal are bury, hide, screen, and secrete. While all these words mean "to withhold or withdraw from sight," conceal usually does imply intent and often specifically implies a refusal to divulge.

concealed the weapon

When would bury be a good substitute for conceal?

While the synonyms bury and conceal are close in meaning, bury implies covering up so as to hide completely.

buried the treasure

Where would hide be a reasonable alternative to conceal?

The synonyms hide and conceal are sometimes interchangeable, but hide may or may not suggest intent.

hide in the closet
a house hidden in the woods

When might screen be a better fit than conceal?

The words screen and conceal are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, screen implies an interposing of something that prevents discovery.

a house screened by trees

When is secrete a more appropriate choice than conceal?

While in some cases nearly identical to conceal, 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 conceal Greene warned that keeping the files concealed would fracture the MAGA coalition. Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026 Popular uses for this cabinet include appliance garages and beverage centers, allowing items to be concealed behind doors when not in use. Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Jan. 2026 New laws included banning law enforcement officers from concealing their identities while on duty, capping out-of-pocket costs for insulin and naming Diwali an official California holiday. Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2026 Walking along the white sand beaches of Pensacola Beach, the tranquil scene of soft sand and gentle waves helps to conceal an epic battle for survival happening in the blue-green waters over the horizon. Christian Wagley, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for conceal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conceal
Verb
  • Still seething after a sloppy 19-16 loss to the Detroit Lions, Johnson wasn’t hiding his dissatisfaction with a defeat that seemed to diminish his team’s momentum.
    Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
  • But the jury in the federal civil lawsuit found that Moore violated Gillispie's rights by hiding evidence that would have helped Gillispie's defense and creating unfair lineup procedures for the victims.
    Laura A. Bischoff, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • This International Dark Sky Park, located in southwest Texas, is about a six-hour drive from San Antonio, the nearest city, so there won't be much light pollution obscuring your views of the constellations.
    Elizabeth Rhodes, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026
  • Medical issues and money woes can create a fog of anxiety that obscures the path forward.
    Eric Thomas, Baltimore Sun, 10 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Medieval Europeans moved to England consistently A press release by the University of Cambridge continued that researchers studied more than 700 chemical signatures from the teeth of people buried in England between AD 400 and 1100.
    Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 11 Jan. 2026
  • He will be cremated, with his ashes buried next to his parents in Joliet, Osborne said.
    Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 10 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The lawsuit alleges that for more than a decade, beginning at least as early as January 2015, Pepsi and Walmart used their dominant positions in the beverage and grocery markets to suppress price competition.
    Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
  • The largest anti-government demonstrations to rock Iran in recent years intensified Friday night, fueling fears of growing fatalities as authorities battle to suppress the protests.
    Arsalan Shahla, Fortune, 10 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • On April 16, a week after that panicked text message from Banfield, Wynn floated another proposal to the bank, this time asking if the school could get a line of credit to cover expenses through the summer.
    Jennifer Palmer, Oklahoma Watch, 9 Jan. 2026
  • The lush gardens are spread across about a dozen acres and feature a mix of styles, including a traditional Valencian space with Moorish influences, sprawling greenhouses, and pergolas covered in swaths of roses.
    Liz Provencher, Travel + Leisure, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Nominees for foundation’s the Noble Prize include Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo López, who was sentenced to 14 years in jail in 2014 for his democracy campaign, but managed to escape the country disguised as an electrician in 2020 while under house arrest.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 8 Jan. 2026
  • Collectively, there is less tolerance for stubbornness disguised as conviction, as this transit favors multidimensional thinking and open dialogue.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Conceal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conceal. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on conceal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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