hide 1 of 3

verb (1)

ˈhīd How to pronounce hide (audio)
Definition of hidenext
1
as in to conceal
to put into a hiding place the thief had hidden the stolen jewelry under the floorboards

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to obscure
to keep secret or shut off from view he tried to hide his criminal past she hid the cat's litter box behind a screen

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to lie
to remain out of sight he hid in the closet while his roommate lied to the probation officer

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

hide

2 of 3

verb (2)

1
as in to lick
to strike repeatedly the grizzled quartermaster threatened to hide any soldier caught stealing provisions

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to whip
to strike repeatedly with something long and thin or flexible threatened to hide the boys with his cane if he ever found them on his property again

Synonyms & Similar Words

hide

3 of 3

noun

1
as in pelt
the outer covering of an animal removed for its commercial value seal hides are used by Eskimos to make footwear, boats, shelters, bags, and clothing

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in leather
the hairless natural covering of an animal prepared for use boots made of shiny alligator hide

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word hide distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of hide are bury, conceal, screen, and secrete. While all these words mean "to withhold or withdraw from sight," hide may or may not suggest intent.

hide in the closet
a house hidden in the woods

When might bury be a better fit than hide?

The words bury and hide are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, bury implies covering up so as to hide completely.

buried the treasure

When could conceal be used to replace hide?

In some situations, the words conceal and hide are roughly equivalent. However, conceal usually does imply intent and often specifically implies a refusal to divulge.

concealed the weapon

Where would screen be a reasonable alternative to hide?

Although the words screen and hide have much in common, screen implies an interposing of something that prevents discovery.

a house screened by trees

When would secrete be a good substitute for hide?

The meanings of secrete and hide largely overlap; however, secrete suggests a depositing in a place unknown to others.

secreted the amulet inside his shirt

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 hide
Verb
The crowd didn’t hide its support for the IceHogs All-Stars, as Lardis received the ovation that mirrored his NHL debut at the United Center. —Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026 Mary does nothing to hide her irritability with him, something Metcalf conveys to perfection. —David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 13 Feb. 2026
Noun
Due to insufficient demand, remaining hides are burned or sent to the landfill, both of which release greenhouse gases. —Sara Place, The Conversation, 16 Jan. 2026 Specialized care must be taken when cleaning a fur coat to keep the hide that holds the hair supple. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 14 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hide
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hide
  1. pelt
  2. leather
  3. fur
  4. skin
  5. seal
  6. coat
Noun
  • But humans have been lethal to stoats in return, especially when their pelts turn white.
    — Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026
  • The swish of chainmail coming down the runway was audible, as models slinked down the catwalk decked in statement pelts and belts.
    — Anika Reed, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of pelt
Noun
  • These premium leather slippers offer shoe-to-mule versatility, grippy traction and all-day comfort.
    — Avery Newmark, AJC.com, 9 Feb. 2026
  • After attending 25+ seasons myself as a fashion editor, my NYFW arsenal is honed and polished, like the leather boots on my feet.
    — Kelsey Stiegman, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Feb. 2026
Definition of leather
Noun
  • Moments later, Carthen struts into the frame wearing a Patriot's jersey corset, an enormous fur stole, and knee-high Timberland stilettos.
    — Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Cue everyone with a fur baby of their own crying into their beer and chicken wings.
    — Debby Wolfinsohn, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Feb. 2026
Definition of fur
Noun
  • Any type of realism was [limited to] very short clips, everything was very slow, bad textures, no skin textures, lacking detail.
    — Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 14 Feb. 2026
  • For example, researchers envision a skin cream that protects troops from frostbite, developed by mimicking the biological cold-resistance strategies these organisms evolved over millennia.
    — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of skin
Noun
  • With stunning coasts lined with calving glaciers and icy fjords, the very best Alaska cruise itineraries offer travelers the opportunity to be immersed in the culture of Indigenous villages, and spot wildlife like whales, seals, and bald eagles right from their stateroom balcony.
    — Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Feb. 2026
  • The indictment has been under seal until Wilcox’s arrest on Monday.
    — Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of seal
Noun
  • Blige fully committed to the monochromatic moment, pairing the coat with a coordinating faux-fur handbag.
    — Kelsey Stewart, Footwear News, 13 Feb. 2026
  • On Thursday afternoon, about 300 people in a mix of puffer coats and fleeces shuffled in place on a line that snaked south along Seventh Avenue to West 10th Street, wrapped around Julius’ and circled back — an Ouroborous.
    — Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 12 Feb. 2026
Definition of coat

Browse Nearby Words

hidden taxes
hide
hideaway
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hide. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on hide

Nglish: Translation of hide for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hide

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!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

More Words You Always Have to Look Up

'Buck naked' or 'butt naked'?

What does 'etcetera' mean?

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek

Did Orange the Fruit or the Color Come First?

Why Is the Letter ‘Z’ Associated With Sleeping?

The Words of the Week - Feb. 13

Why do we call it 'ides of March'?
See More

Popular

See More

More Words You Always Have to Look Up

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek

Did Orange the Fruit or the Color Come First?
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
burrowing owl athene cunicularia tilts its head outside its burrow on marco island florida
Guess the Curious Origins of These Everyday Words Oh, that’s where that comes from…
See All