covert

2 of 2

noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word covert distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of covert are clandestine, furtive, secret, stealthy, surreptitious, and underhanded. While all these words mean "done without attracting observation," covert stresses the fact of not being open or declared.

covert intelligence operations

When could clandestine be used to replace covert?

The meanings of clandestine and covert largely overlap; however, clandestine implies secrecy usually for an evil, illicit, or unauthorized purpose and often emphasizes the fear of being discovered.

a clandestine meeting of conspirators

Where would furtive be a reasonable alternative to covert?

The words furtive and covert can be used in similar contexts, but furtive implies a sly or cautious stealthiness.

lovers exchanging furtive glances

When is secret a more appropriate choice than covert?

While in some cases nearly identical to covert, secret implies concealment on any grounds for any motive.

met at a secret location

When is it sensible to use stealthy instead of covert?

The words stealthy and covert are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, stealthy suggests taking pains to avoid being seen or heard especially in some misdoing.

the stealthy step of a burglar

In what contexts can surreptitious take the place of covert?

In some situations, the words surreptitious and covert are roughly equivalent. However, surreptitious applies to action or behavior done secretly often with skillful avoidance of detection and in violation of custom, law, or authority.

the surreptitious stockpiling of weapons

When might underhanded be a better fit than covert?

While the synonyms underhanded and covert are close in meaning, underhanded stresses fraud or deception.

an underhanded trick

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 covert
Adjective
Johansson stars as Zora Bennett, a covert operations expert who is contracted to lead a skilled team on a top-secret mission to secure the genetic material. Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 2 June 2025 The partnership also spawned a covert payment network involving gold transfers and intermediary countries to bypass Western sanctions, complicating efforts by the United States and its allies to enforce export controls. Arkansas Online, 30 May 2025
Noun
The show clocks in at under a half hour, focuses on Mando, Grogu, and Bo-Katan in their new home with the Armorer and her covert, and is largely a collection of action set pieces. Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 22 Mar. 2023 The main plot involves Ragnar, the kid whose helmet ceremony was interrupted in the season’s opening scene, being abducted by a dragon that has been bedeviling the covert for a while. Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 22 Mar. 2023 See All Example Sentences for covert
Recent Examples of Synonyms for covert
Adjective
  • What To Do Visitors can go full-moon kayaking, explore a 2000-year-old ancient Calusa shell mound, or cruise to secluded islands like Cabbage Key for Gulf shrimp and slow, old-Florida life.
    Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 8 June 2025
  • Location Located on the northwestern coast of Guanacaste, Punta Cacique is a secluded cliffside community offering easy access to two neighboring beach towns: Playa Hermosa and Playa del Coco.
    Kristin Braswell, Travel + Leisure, 7 June 2025
Adjective
  • Syria under Assad is believed to have operated an extensive clandestine nuclear program, which included an undeclared nuclear reactor built by North Korea in eastern Deir el-Zour province.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 June 2025
  • The only way to pre-empt detection by these IAEA watchdogs would be for Ukraine to withdraw from the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and expel the atomic inspectors, but those moves would amount to trumpeting Kyiv’s clandestine quest to develop a nuclear warhead.
    Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025
Noun
  • Up until the al-Qaeda forces discover their hideout, the action is contained to mundane activities: confirming operations, tracking other platoons’ movements.
    Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 7 May 2025
  • Based on a true story, a father and son in a warzone hospital face life-or-death choices as their hideout becomes increasingly compromised.
    Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 29 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Brightbill arrives at the grove to see what has happened to his mother, and if she’s been reset.
    Emily Blackwood, People.com, 30 May 2025
  • Best View There’s no bad view along this hike, but the perspective from the grove of Torrey Pines gives you a broad field of vision that takes in the grasslands, cliffs, and Pacific that stretches on for eternity.
    Graham Averill, Outside Online, 30 May 2025
Adjective
  • Estate sales are a treasure trove for uncovering vintage clothing, and real hidden gems are often tucked away in unexpected places.
    Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 7 June 2025
  • The building’s second story will be built out and have even more bowling lanes — something not commonly seen in the U.S., Parkin said — and a hidden speakeasy bar that will be for 21 years old and over.
    Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 6 June 2025
Adjective
  • So is this mystery novel secretly the story of The Gilded Age and is this an undercover crossover?
    Nick Romano, EW.com, 6 June 2025
  • The missing money controlled by Velazquez was supposed to go toward undercover narcotics operations.
    Charles Rabin, Miami Herald, 4 June 2025
Noun
  • Fitting for an actor, the house hides a cinematic lair.
    Spencer Elliott, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
  • Kelly scooped at the firm snow, tiny icicles swaying from his white mustache, but couldn’t find a lair.
    Alec Luhn, Scientific American, 20 May 2025
Noun
  • Just like where the gas and brake is of people tuning in and out.
    Lacey Rose, HollywoodReporter, 11 June 2025
  • The driving experience: SQ5 Audi Audi The third brake light projects a message onto the rear window.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 11 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Covert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/covert. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on covert

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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