cover-up
noun
cov·er-up
ˈkə-vər-ˌəp 
1
a
: a device or stratagem for masking or concealing
his garrulousness is a cover-up for insecurity
b
: a usually concerted effort to keep an illegal or unethical act or situation from being made public
2
: a loose outer garment
Synonyms
Examples of cover-up in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Microsoft said the disinformation campaign likened the derailment to 9/11 and Pearl Harbor cover-up theories.
—
Koh Ewe, TIME, 5 Apr. 2024
Tom becomes infatuated with Dickie and his lifestyle, then kills him to avoid being deserted — and the cover-up spirals from there.
—Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2024
This short-sleeve Madewell dress has a button-up silhouette, and the oversized collar adds a casual feel — it can be worn to lunch or the beach as a pretty cover-up.
—Nicol Natale, Peoplemag, 2 Apr. 2024
Trump's lawyers say the payments to Cohen were legitimate legal expenses, not cover-up checks.
—Compiled Bydemocrat-Gazette Stafffrom Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 26 Mar. 2024
There are other suspects, like the professor’s handyman, played by Thomas M. Wright with a touch of Manson, as well as Roy’s former partner (Tommy Flanagan), who appears to have masterminded a cover-up.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 23 Mar. 2024
The same goes with the pants; pair them with your favorite blouses, sweaters, and even wear them as a swim cover-up or pajamas if needed.
—Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 22 Mar. 2024
Some of them got pretty crazy, ranging from a cover-up of Kate’s alleged death, to a theory that the Royal Family were reptilian aliens.
—Steven Levy, WIRED, 22 Mar. 2024
Extending beyond dresses, the collection features pieces for a multitude of celebratory occasions, such as bikinis, pajamas, pantsuit separates, skirts, crochet-style cover-ups and more.
—Jordan Greene, Peoplemag, 22 Mar. 2024
Koh Ewe, TIME, 5 Apr. 2024
Tom becomes infatuated with Dickie and his lifestyle, then kills him to avoid being deserted — and the cover-up spirals from there.
—Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2024
This short-sleeve Madewell dress has a button-up silhouette, and the oversized collar adds a casual feel — it can be worn to lunch or the beach as a pretty cover-up.
—Nicol Natale, Peoplemag, 2 Apr. 2024
Trump's lawyers say the payments to Cohen were legitimate legal expenses, not cover-up checks.
—Compiled Bydemocrat-Gazette Stafffrom Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 26 Mar. 2024
There are other suspects, like the professor’s handyman, played by Thomas M. Wright with a touch of Manson, as well as Roy’s former partner (Tommy Flanagan), who appears to have masterminded a cover-up.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 23 Mar. 2024
The same goes with the pants; pair them with your favorite blouses, sweaters, and even wear them as a swim cover-up or pajamas if needed.
—Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 22 Mar. 2024
Some of them got pretty crazy, ranging from a cover-up of Kate’s alleged death, to a theory that the Royal Family were reptilian aliens.
—Steven Levy, WIRED, 22 Mar. 2024
Extending beyond dresses, the collection features pieces for a multitude of celebratory occasions, such as bikinis, pajamas, pantsuit separates, skirts, crochet-style cover-ups and more.
—Jordan Greene, Peoplemag, 22 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cover-up.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1927, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Dictionary Entries Near cover-up
Cite this Entry
“Cover-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cover-up. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
cover-up
noun
cov·er-up
ˈkəv-ə-ˌrəp
: a planned effort to conceal a wrongful act or situation
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