covers 1 of 2

Definition of coversnext
present tense third-person singular of cover
1
as in substitutes
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
as in shields
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
5
6
7
8

covers

2 of 2

noun

plural of cover
1
as in lids
a piece placed over an open container to hold in, protect, or conceal its contents where's the cover for the cookie jar?

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
3
4
5
as in canopies
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

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 covers
Verb
Don't go into a basement, or any room, if water covers the electrical outlets or if cords are submerged. Star-Telegram Weather Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Apr. 2026 Daniel de Visé covers personal finance for USA Today. Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026 About two-thirds of the nation’s estimated $7 trillion in annual spending covers the Medicare and Medicaid health care programs, as well as Social Security income, which are essentially growing — along with an aging population — on autopilot. Lisa Mascaro, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2026 Alexandra Koch is a Fox News Digital journalist who covers breaking news, with a focus on high-impact events that shape national conversation. Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 3 Apr. 2026 Ryan Oehrli covers criminal justice in the Charlotte region for The Charlotte Observer. Ryan Oehrli april 3, Charlotte Observer, 3 Apr. 2026 You're also given a 5-year limited warranty that covers you in case something happens to it. George Yang, PC Magazine, 28 Mar. 2026 The long security checkpoint lines won’t disappear immediately, Aaron Barker, president of AFGE Local 554, which covers airports in Georgia, said at a news conference on Tuesday. Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2026 Many credit cards also offer rental car insurance that covers damage or theft of a vehicle. Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Mar. 2026
Noun
Plus, the covers are easy to clean, which is key for outdoor furniture. Aashna Gheewalla, PEOPLE, 2 Apr. 2026 The 23-year-old social media star initially earned recognition for TikTok covers. Jennifer Day, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026 About Empire Today Empire Today was founded in 1959 and sold protective plastic covers for furniture and floors. Dan Simms, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026 Benvolio pulls up the covers on the other side, revealing Jupe in nothing but his boxers. Ellise Shafer, Variety, 1 Apr. 2026 Cushions are fashioned with removable covers that are washing machine safe and stuffed with a quick-dry foam that’s mold-, rot-, and mildew-resistant. Blake Bakkila, Architectural Digest, 1 Apr. 2026 In 2017, the show released a collection of covers and originals as a 106-track compilation. Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 31 Mar. 2026 Bringing in new light switch covers is another way to elevate on a dime. Shagun Khare, The Spruce, 31 Mar. 2026 Green Life Another month of books, another month of book covers. Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 30 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for covers
Verb
  • Ramps substitutes Because their season is so short, ramps can be hard to track down.
    Kelly Vaughan, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Mar. 2026
  • Once that trio had run themselves into the ground, substitutes Moore, Josh Windass and Nathan Broadhead took over to keep the pressure on.
    Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Design grows dense forests of carbon nanotubes The design grows dense forests of carbon nanotubes directly onto copper foil and coats them with a thin layer of silicon, creating a flexible, conductive scaffold that can absorb expansion while maintaining performance.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 28 Mar. 2026
  • Add the mixture to the remaining milk in the pan and cook until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
    Mary Ann Esposito, Boston Herald, 18 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The Wegovy pill has a special ingredient that shields it from some erosion, but people must still take it on an empty stomach to ensure it’s properly absorbed.
    Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act typically shields them from liability for content posted by users.
    Miguel Torres, AZCentral.com, 1 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • What concerns her most is that the current moment is reshuffling economic roles without doing the deeper cultural work.
    Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Miller’s 1968 play, written during the agonizing days of the Vietnam War, concerns the disposition of the remains of a once-illustrious estate.
    Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • People who dislike Minnelli’s singing maintain that her outer bombast conceals an inner void.
    Matt Weinstock, New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Irving used a durable Dekton countertop and Brown Jordan cabinetry that conceals appliances and stands up to the elements, as well as flexible seating arrangements and discreet storage to keep pillows and furniture covers tucked safely away.
    Megan Johnson, Architectural Digest, 12 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The june bug traverses the flagstones lit through the glass door.
    María Ospina, The Dial, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Those residents might also like to see the name of Indian Creek, another rill which traverses the county, given a new designation.
    Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • At Tuesday’s hearing on two fatal crashes involving Ford’s Blue Cruise system, the NTSB recommended that Ford find ways to improve the way its system monitors drivers, and urged the federal government to establish minimum safety standards.
    Josh Funk, Fortune, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Among other things, HiveWatch monitors video feeds, employee access, online conversations, threats against executives and brands, and 911 dispatches.
    Rachyl Jones, semafor.com, 1 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Proponents say the bill addresses a shortage of foster homes in Missouri and protects religious freedom.
    Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026
  • If someone pushes you to rush, keep your tone measured and propose a reasonable deadline that protects quality and keeps expectations aligned.
    Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 30 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Covers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/covers. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on covers

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster