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
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Recent Examples of covering
Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
The law makes exceptions for SWAT teams, undercover operations and medically or situationally necessary face coverings.
—Andrea Klick, Oc Register, 10 Feb. 2026
Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 15 Feb. 2026
Alison Burgos is a co-founder of the Girls in Wonderland, a four-day event covering that June weekend.
—Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for covering
Noun
In videos and photos, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other federal agents are routinely seen wearing face coverings while conducting operations, making arrests and clashing with protesters.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
The law makes exceptions for SWAT teams, undercover operations and medically or situationally necessary face coverings.
—Andrea Klick, Oc Register, 10 Feb. 2026
Verb
The following day, Micah Zarin, the 17-year-old grandson of her late husband Bobby, posted a photo of Jill with a huge X covering her face on the Zarin Fabrics Instagram page.
—Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 15 Feb. 2026
Alison Burgos is a co-founder of the Girls in Wonderland, a four-day event covering that June weekend.
—Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for covering
Recent Examples of Synonyms for covering
Noun
-
At the last minute, Hannah decided to add a veil.—
Hannah Jackson,
Vogue,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Newspaper archives show couples wearing their finest attire, brides wearing veils cascading down their full-length gowns and others wearing red or pink in a nod to Valentine’s Day.—
Melissa Renteria,
San Antonio Express-News,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Metallic heels were also on order for another of her husband's premieres — plus a textured sheath and her trademark glossy waves.—
Alex Apatoff,
PEOPLE,
4 Feb. 2026
-
The sleeveless sheath featured a deep V-neckline and strong, slightly extended shoulders, with sequins running in dense rows throughout.—
Maggie Clancy,
Footwear News,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Critics such as economist Jeffrey Sachs have warned that the NSS is grounded in grandiosity and Machiavellianism, substituting coercion for cooperation and dominance for legitimacy.—
Alejandro Reyes,
Washington Post,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Williams was the only starter to play more than 25 minutes as the Aztecs began substituting liberally after just 11 minutes, jumping out to a 32-12 lead thanks to an 18-0 run.—
Bill Center,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
This practice of coating paper with wax dates back through the 19th century, as a way to keep moisture and odors out of different food items.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
9 Feb. 2026
-
The sun comes out, coating the top layer of the icy snow with water, and suddenly, the track is a half-second faster.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The first woman and first African to head the IOC, the five-time Olympic swimmer has worked to return the Games to the competitors by shielding them from political divisions and stressing unity and respect.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Grassley said the Arctic Frost timeline, starting with the FBI under Thibault in 2022 and expanding under Smith, raises questions about how aggressively federal investigators pursued Republican lawmakers and organizations while shielding the process from oversight.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The mood today was more tenuous, the industry crowd mulling in the lobby with cocktails, discussing the tail end of awards season and the controversy coming out of the Berlin Film Festival concerning politically cautious juror statements.—
Film Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Feb. 2026
-
In addition, two related proposals would exempt records concerning the decision to designate groups as terrorist organizations from public disclosure.—
Annie Martin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Deeann Bennett, 27, and Charles Bennett, 32, both of Booneville, were charged with reckless homicide and concealing the birth of an infant.—
Caroline Neal,
Louisville Courier Journal,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Plaintiffs also accuse the companies of failing to warn users about the risks of using their products and of deliberately concealing their dangers.—
Kaitlyn Tiffany,
The Atlantic,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
From there, the monks will walk together again, traversing six miles to the temple where their trip began.—
Deepa Bharath,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The work is a stone arch that, rather than traversing a stream from one bank to another, stands in the water lengthwise, aligned with the rushing current, evoking a leaping salmon.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Covering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/covering. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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