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 To conceal the data theft and prevent transmission errors, the exfiltrated data was converted to base64 format. — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 18 Aug. 2026 The drop-waist elongates the torso to create the illusion of height, all while concealing pesky lines due to the breathable pleats. — Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 18 Aug. 2026 Ellie Goulding is suing her former managers for securing her deals with Live Nation while concealing their business relationship with the ticketing giant, Variety reports. — Kiana Mickles, Pitchfork, 18 Aug. 2026 Larice’s body was concealed by yoga mats that had been placed over him, deputies say. — Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for conceal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for conceal

Verb

His brother was stuffing bricks of cash in multiple places and would even wrap the money in plastic before hiding it in spaghetti sauce jars.

— Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 20 Aug. 2026
Paul Robinson is accused of hiding a safe containing drugs and cash.

— Jennifer Borrasso, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of hide

Verb

These included a child buried face down, a skeleton positioned as in a crucifixion, graves with stones placed around the skull as if to prevent biting or movement, as well as other graves with sickles and padlocks.

— Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
As the Danube waters shrank in Bulgaria, researchers were thrilled to find and recover a jawbone, tusks, a shoulder blade, ribs and other bone fragments belonging to an extinct woolly mammoth buried deep in the sand.

— CBS News, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of bury

Verb

That combination, just like QIH, suppressed neuronal firing and stripped out a comparable share of synapses, but the mice came out of it with impaired fear memory.

— Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 22 Aug. 2026
Factors that put people at a higher risk of severe infection include being older than 60, diabetes, high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease and being on immune system suppressing medication.

— Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of suppress

Verb

During Sunday's game in Atlanta between the Dream and the Fever, at least three fans were asked by WNBA security personnel to cover shirts bearing messages about transgender women participating in women's sports.

— S.E. Jenkins, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
Fireplaces are stocked with fragrant piñon wood, making winter stays especially cozy, while silk covers conceal TVs and handmade Le Creuset dishware keep modern amenities from disrupting the mood.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of cover

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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 25 Aug. 2026.

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