1
as in veil
something that covers or conceals like a piece of cloth
with the commotion on the dance floor as a covering, we were able to slip out undetected
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in sheath
something that encloses another thing especially to protect it
the plastic coverings on lamp shades should be removed
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in substituting
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
2
as in coating
to form a layer over
by morning a foot of snow covered the ground
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in shielding
to place a protective layer over
better cover your skin with sunblock if you don't want a sunburn, not to mention skin cancer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in concerning
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 concealing
to keep secret or shut off from view
covered the foxhole with grass and leaves
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in traversing
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 monitoring
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 protecting
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
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 covering
Martin Kaste, NPR, 28 Mar. 2025
When using an extension cord, inspect it before each use and do not run it under a covering like a rug or tarp.
—Cody Godwin, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2025
Simon Johnson, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024
Parts of the station’s restaurant were partitioned off, and a drop ceiling was added, covering up the vaulted ceiling.
—Patrick Sauer, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for covering
Noun
Even as Covid-19 waned, some officers kept the gaiters as an optional face covering, especially when confronted by members of the public recording video.
—Martin Kaste, NPR, 28 Mar. 2025
When using an extension cord, inspect it before each use and do not run it under a covering like a rug or tarp.
—Cody Godwin, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2025
Verb
Simon Johnson has spent the majority of his career as a sports reporter since 2000 covering Chelsea, firstly for Hayters and then the London Evening Standard.
—Simon Johnson, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024
Parts of the station’s restaurant were partitioned off, and a drop ceiling was added, covering up the vaulted ceiling.
—Patrick Sauer, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for covering
Recent Examples of Synonyms for covering
Noun
-
But during the visit, Melania Trump mostly wore a grim face — along with a black dress and lace veil, in accordance with the dress code for a papal visit, according to media accounts at the time.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
22 Apr. 2025
-
Typically, the pontiff’s body is placed in a casket made of three materials—cypress, lead, and walnut—and then covered with a silk veil before being sealed and transported under the basilica to the Vatican Grottoes, where the remains of almost all his predecessors rest.—
Paolo Armelli,
Vogue,
21 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The 30-year-old, who was arrested in December 2022, was allegedly linked to the crime scene by DNA recovered from a knife sheath and cell phone pings, per a probable cause affidavit previously obtained by PEOPLE.—
Nicole Acosta,
People.com,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Surprisingly, the team discovered that one of the two giant bony claws has its keratin sheath—comparable to a human nail—still preserved.—
Margherita Bassi,
Smithsonian Magazine,
27 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
This process must ensure that risk management is aligned with current regulations, established company policies and industry best practices, thereby protecting security, privacy and corporate integrity.—
Susana Sierra,
Forbes,
26 Dec. 2024
-
But the brains of the hybrid mice developed fewer of these tangles and plaques, as if the sleep mutations were protecting the animals.—
Marla Broadfoot,
Smithsonian Magazine,
26 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
The male figure wears a simple toga, while the woman wears a large cloak over a tunic and many accessories.—
Sonja Anderson,
Smithsonian Magazine,
2 Apr. 2025
-
The white marble sculpture, which is missing a head and arms, appears to depict a woman's torso draped in a loose dress or cloak.—
Leah Sarnoff,
ABC News,
23 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Scroll on and get inspired by these 18 beauties — and then come back tomorrow, Tuesday, April 22, to see who graces the cover of the 2025 World's Most Beautiful issue.—
Brittany Talarico,
People.com,
21 Apr. 2025
-
The legendary supermodel — and the first Black woman to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit issue — has been the face of America’s Next Top Model since 2003.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
21 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Millions of Americans may have the chance to witness a partial solar eclipse on March 29, when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, temporarily obscuring part of the solar disk.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Mar. 2025
-
That said, the prevailing view of agents remains overly indexed on low-level implementation details, obscuring broader gaps that must be addressed for widespread adoption.—
Egor Pushkin,
Forbes.com,
26 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
In a very different way, Newcastle gave it all afternoon, running and challenging and protecting each other, treading a careful line and sometimes crossing it.—
George Caulkin,
The Athletic,
27 Dec. 2024
-
If Samuelson struggled to the line, or worse yet dropped to the ground after crossing it, that would validate those views and set back for years the fight for gender equality in the Olympics.—
Austin Knoblauch,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
The Yankees signed the 38-year-old to a minor league free agent contract in February, but after a series of injuries left the defending American League champs with three holes in their five-man rotation, Carrasco pitched his way into filling one with an impressive spring training.—
Daniel R. Depetris,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Apr. 2025
-
With his second goal of the night, the Broncos, in their inaugural appearance in the Frozen Four, defeated the defending national champions from Denver, with their record nine national titles, 3-2 in the second double-overtime game between the teams in a month.—
Scott Wheeler,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Covering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/covering. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share