CONCEAL Synonyms: 75 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'conceal' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of conceal are bury , hide , screen , and secrete . While all these words mean "to withhold or withdraw from sight," conceal usually does imply intent and often specifically implies a refusal to divulge. // concealed the weapon

Q: When would 'bury' be a good substitute for 'conceal'?

While the synonyms bury and conceal are close in meaning, bury implies covering up so as to hide completely. // buried the treasure

Q: Where would 'hide' be a reasonable alternative to 'conceal'?

The synonyms hide and conceal are sometimes interchangeable, but hide may or may not suggest intent. // hide in the closet // a house hidden in the woods

Q: When might 'screen' be a better fit than 'conceal'?

The words screen and conceal are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, screen implies an interposing of something that prevents discovery. // a house screened by trees

Q: When is 'secrete' a more appropriate choice than 'conceal'?

While in some cases nearly identical to conceal , secrete suggests a depositing in a place unknown to others. // secreted the amulet inside his shirt

conceal

verb

kən-ˈsēl

Definition of conceal

as in to hide

to put into a hiding place wisely concealed the documents in a drawer beneath a false bottom

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to obscure

to keep secret or shut off from view the defense attorney accused the prosecutor of trying to conceal exculpatory evidence

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How is the word conceal distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of conceal are bury, hide, screen, and secrete. While all these words mean "to withhold or withdraw from sight," conceal usually does imply intent and often specifically implies a refusal to divulge.

concealed the weapon

When would bury be a good substitute for conceal?

While the synonyms bury and conceal are close in meaning, bury implies covering up so as to hide completely.

buried the treasure

Where would hide be a reasonable alternative to conceal?

The synonyms hide and conceal are sometimes interchangeable, but hide may or may not suggest intent.

hide in the closet

a house hidden in the woods

When might screen be a better fit than conceal?

The words screen and conceal are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, screen implies an interposing of something that prevents discovery.

a house screened by trees

When is secrete a more appropriate choice than conceal?

While in some cases nearly identical to conceal, 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 conceal The snail’s diminutive size, however, conceals a massive secret. — Carrie Arnold contributing, Quanta Magazine, 2 Sep. 2026 Some historians point to one of Leonardo’s sketches from about the same time that show a David-like nude with a leaf over its groin, arguing that Leonardo wanted Michelangelo’s masterpiece modestly concealed. — Alicja Zelazko, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Sep. 2026 The film imagines a colorful, family-friendly realm concealed just under the surface of video games themselves, populated by a covert guild of guardians tasked with keeping each title operating and preserving every player’s journey. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 1 Sep. 2026 The chattiness of Eddy’s dispatches does little to conceal that the novel’s Jamaica is a grim place for gay men. — Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for conceal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for conceal

Verb

Yes, that’s right, the world’s most famous nude sculpture was once outfitted with a belt of 28 copper leaves to hide its genitalia.

— Alicja Zelazko, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Sep. 2026
Avoid walking through tall grass, rocky areas or other places where snakes might hide, such as wildflower or bluebonnet patches.

— Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of hide

Verb

Forward vision is excellent because there’s no roof, A-pillars, or much of anything obscuring your view (the only model above the Signature Edition, called the Grand Touring, does include a roof of sorts).

— William Roberson, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
The glass is reeded and translucent, obscuring the line cooks behind it.

— Alexis Benveniste, Architectural Digest, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of obscure

Verb

In many cases, bodies have been washed far downstream and rendered unrecognizable, while others still missing are feared to have been buried in the torrent of thick mud.

— Andrew Jones, NBC news, 3 Sep. 2026
Huntsinger never expected to be dealing with a major mudslide that buried one of the festival’s main venues, The Palm, in three feet of mud.

— Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of bury

Verb

This isn’t a matter of suppressing your emotions, which research has proven doesn't work.

— Kevin Kruse, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
In one of the findings, bat houses — artificial roosts in urban environments, similar to nest boxes for birds — were doing their job helping to suppress pests on pecan farms in Texas.

— Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of suppress

Verb

As a way to get around the law, speakeasies were disguised as other business, such as bookstores, Bao said.

— Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 31 Aug. 2026
John is then abducted by a group led by an alien named Antaan, who tells him about the Manhunters—ancient synthetic predecessors to the Green Lantern Corps capable of disguising themselves as other species.

— Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of disguise

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concavity

conceal

concealed

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“Conceal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conceal. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of conceal

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