COVERT Synonyms: 116 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

covert 1 of 2

adjective

ˈkō-(ˌ)vərt

Definition of covert next

as in secluded

screened or sequestered from view a covert little hideaway that provides a lot of privacy

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in clandestine

undertaken or done so as to escape being observed or known by others a covert operation to provide aid to the rebels

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

covert

2 of 2

noun

ˈkə-vərt

as in hideout

a place where a person goes to hide or to avoid others set up a covert from which to watch wildlife without being detected

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as in grove

a thick patch of shrubbery, small trees, or underbrush the rabbit rushed to the safety of the nearest covert

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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

Investigators later equipped the inmate with covert recording equipment during the probe, according to the outlet, though authorities said the technology malfunctioned during some interactions. —

Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026 Zolghadr is a veteran of the Revolutionary Guards, with deep ties to the Ramazan Headquarters, a covert IRGC operational unit whose networks later helped give shape to the Quds Force. —

Hamidreza Azizi, Time, 9 May 2026

Noun

Renaissance alchemists kept their work covert, and few alchemical recipes have survived to modern times. —

Cnn, The Mercury News, 25 Dec. 2024 But keeping the commercial covert was especially challenging after his wife, Martel Thompson Hale — who is a makeup artist — worked with him on the ad. —

Nardine Saad, Los Angeles Times, 13 Feb. 2024 See All Example Sentences for covert

Recent Examples of Synonyms for covert

Adjective

For bigger crews, there’s a three-bedroom Coral Villa and the swirling Perlah Villa complex, which comes with space for up to nine guests and has a pool, dining pavilion, and secluded beachfront lawn for barbecues.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 May 2026
Other award-winning sites include a place with a drive-in movie theater near Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in Utah, geodesic domes in Texas, safari tents in Kentucky, a secluded tent getaway in the Catskills of New York and a converted school bus outside Lake Huron in Michigan.

— Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 18 May 2026

Definition of secluded

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covers (up)

covert

covertly

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“Covert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/covert. Accessed 21 May. 2026.

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Synonyms of covert

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