Definition of covernext
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as in to substitute
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

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as in to shield
to place a protective layer over better cover your skin with sunblock if you don't want a sunburn, not to mention skin cancer

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cover

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noun

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

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as in roof
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

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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 cover
Verb
News of the potential deal comes as Witkoff is expected to present Putin with a proposal for a partial ceasefire covering energy and food infrastructure, Finnish President Alexander Stubb said Tuesday. — ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026 The demand letter noted that CNN has participated in the TV pool and covered presidents in the Oval Office and on Air Force One for 45 years. — Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026
Noun
Balloons, streamers and table covers from Dollar Tree handle the rest. — Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026 Zebra tablecloths and napkins completed the safari theme, and the walls were decorated with faux magazine covers of Bradfield and his partner, auctioneer William Featherby. — Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 18 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cover
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cover
Verb
  • Instead, Brammall and Dyer came close to substituting Colin with an elderly lady, before reverting to their original premise.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Both varieties of balsamic are tricky to substitute because their sweetness is as important as their acidity.
    — Emily Saladino, Bon Appetit Magazine, 19 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • This denim is highly ornamented, coated, dyed, or otherwise creatively embellished.
    — Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Researchers then installed the electrodes and coated the structure with sputtered gold.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • And unlike state authorities who can be sued for civil rights violations in state courts, federal law enforcement authorities are generally shielded from such lawsuits based on legal precedents.
    — Philip Wang, Time, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Fluorine atoms shield the carbon backbone like interlocking armor plates.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 19 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • As for Adebayo, the Heat doesn’t seem to concerned about his groin issue.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Unions are concerned the bots — which Simbe claims can save employees up to 50 hours of work per week — could put human employees out of work.
    — Ella Chakarian, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The listening device was plugged into a USB port on the back of a television, concealed by a small piece of toilet paper, according to the FBI.
    — Jim Edwards, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The device, which had a detachable camera sensor, digital microphone, and microSD storage, was concealed in toilet paper, according to the complaint.
    — Dan Mangan,Eamon Javers,Paige Tortorelli, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Several lawmakers tried to crack down on immigration during the 2026 legislative session, but all but one bill failed to cross the finish line.
    — Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Rival urban commuters often cross the $1,500 threshold when fitted with hydraulic brakes and advanced torque sensors so Lectric’s US$1,099 price tag is head-turning.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 19 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Police dispatchers are allowed to monitor ALPR notifications to notify officers.
    — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 14 Oct. 2026
  • But in many organizations, monitoring that work falls to managers, turning them into part-time AI accountants.
    — Jake Angelo, semafor.com, 14 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Rowling has been staunchly critical of transgender rights activists, funding legal efforts to protect women’s rights and penning X/Twitter posts that are considered to be attacks by the trans community.
    — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Go rebound the basketball, go protect the rim, be a big big for us.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Cover.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cover. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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