screen 1 of 2

noun

ˈskrēn How to pronounce screen (audio)
Definition of screennext
1
as in film
the art or business of making a movie he was a star of both stage and screen

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in defense
means or method of defending the target will be difficult to reach as it is behind a screen of anti-aircraft batteries

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

screen

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to protect
to drive danger or attack away from attack helicopters were called in to help screen the troops from further attacks

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to hide
to keep secret or shut off from view bushes screened the swimming pool from passersby on the street

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to filter
to pass through a filter you should screen the cooking oil to remove impurities

Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in to cover
to place a protective layer over screened his eyes with his hand to block the sun

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word screen distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of screen are bury, conceal, hide, and secrete. While all these words mean "to withhold or withdraw from sight," screen implies an interposing of something that prevents discovery.

a house screened by trees

When would bury be a good substitute for screen?

The synonyms bury and screen are sometimes interchangeable, but bury implies covering up so as to hide completely.

buried the treasure

When might conceal be a better fit than screen?

The words conceal and screen can be used in similar contexts, but conceal usually does imply intent and often specifically implies a refusal to divulge.

concealed the weapon

When could hide be used to replace screen?

The meanings of hide and screen largely overlap; however, hide may or may not suggest intent.

hide in the closet
a house hidden in the woods

Where would secrete be a reasonable alternative to screen?

While in some cases nearly identical to screen, 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 screen
Noun
His trajectory shifts when a virtual quest screen appears before him, redirecting him toward life as an army cook. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 30 Aug. 2026 Over the last week, it was reported that the 2003 rom-com How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, starring Kate Hudson and Matthew McConnaughey, may well be returning to screens for a part two. — Lauren O’Neill, Vogue, 29 Aug. 2026
Verb
There are a handful of North Texas theaters will that screen both films this weekend and into next week. — Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Aug. 2026 Kumi's model prioritizes reciprocity, screening for members who contribute, ensuring high-value interactions like access to corporate board insights. — Jasmine Browley, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for screen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for screen
  1. film
  2. defense
  3. protect
  4. hide
  5. filter
  6. cover
  7. movie
  8. wall
Noun
  • The film spawned the sequels Ocean’s 12 in 2004 and 2007’s Ocean’s 13, in which both of them reprised their roles.
    — Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Joie de Vivre is produced by MeMo Films, the production company co-founded in 2010 by entrepreneur and fashion designer Gabriele Moratti and distributor and film producer Francesco Melzi d’Eril.
    — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of film
Noun
  • Davis’ defense attorney, Michael Sanft, challenged jurors to identify evidence outside Davis’ own statements that placed him in Las Vegas or inside the Cadillac on the night Shakur was shot.
    — Jonathan Landrum Jr, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Allen collected three hits and played terrific defense during a 6-3 win against the Mets.
    — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of defense
Verb
  • Play was suspended on the outside courts, but the roofs could close on Armstrong and Ashe, protecting Bublik and Wolf, and Novak Djokovic and Mariano Navone, from the elements.
    — Rebecca Tauber, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Families who answer those questions early protect both generations.
    — Jon Sabes, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of protect
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
  • The instruments can move with greater flexibility than the human hand, while the system filters out natural hand tremors that could affect delicate movements.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The set list spans her 14-year career, with even the most pop-forward selections filtered through thunderous percussion and earsplitting guitars.
    — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of filter
Verb
  • Also in the courtroom was Davis’ son, who covered his face with one hand.
    — Jonathan Landrum Jr, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Active managers can also adjust strike prices, expiration dates and the proportion of each holding covered by options as market conditions shift.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of cover
Noun
  • Young people want movies and TV shows that reflect their own lives and relatable issues, rather than more stories in the fantasy genre, according to last year’s annual Teens and Screens report from the Center for Scholars and Storytellers at UCLA.
    — Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • After all, an emotional, and intense, journey is also what the protagonists of her movie embark on.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of movie
Noun
  • Values on a wall ask people to interpret abstractions, while stories carry judgment and understanding inside them.
    — Bryan Adams, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
  • While the tents have the most charm, imo—ivory canvas walls, Adirondack chairs on wooden porches, true beds with sheepskin throws and wooden frames—the cabins and suites are unsurprisingly the more comfortable option.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of wall

Phrases Containing screen

Browse Nearby Words

screeching
screen
screened
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Cite this Entry

“Screen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/screen. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on screen

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about screen

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