COVERT Synonyms: 116 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'covert' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of covert are clandestine , furtive , secret , stealthy , surreptitious , and underhanded . While all these words mean "done without attracting observation," covert stresses the fact of not being open or declared. // covert intelligence operations

Q: When could 'clandestine' be used to replace 'covert'?

The meanings of clandestine and covert largely overlap; however, clandestine implies secrecy usually for an evil, illicit, or unauthorized purpose and often emphasizes the fear of being discovered. // a clandestine meeting of conspirators

Q: Where would 'furtive' be a reasonable alternative to 'covert'?

The words furtive and covert can be used in similar contexts, but furtive implies a sly or cautious stealthiness. // lovers exchanging furtive glances

Q: When is 'secret' a more appropriate choice than 'covert'?

While in some cases nearly identical to covert , secret implies concealment on any grounds for any motive. // met at a secret location

Q: When is it sensible to use 'stealthy' instead of 'covert'?

The words stealthy and covert are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, stealthy suggests taking pains to avoid being seen or heard especially in some misdoing. // the stealthy step of a burglar

Q: In what contexts can 'surreptitious' take the place of 'covert'?

In some situations, the words surreptitious and covert are roughly equivalent. However, surreptitious applies to action or behavior done secretly often with skillful avoidance of detection and in violation of custom, law, or authority. // the surreptitious stockpiling of weapons

Q: When might 'underhanded' be a better fit than 'covert'?

While the synonyms underhanded and covert are close in meaning, underhanded stresses fraud or deception. // an underhanded trick

covert 1 of 2

adjective

ˈkō-(ˌ)vərt

Definition of covert

as in secluded

screened or sequestered from view a covert little hideaway that provides a lot of privacy

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in clandestine

undertaken or done so as to escape being observed or known by others a covert operation to provide aid to the rebels

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

covert

2 of 2

noun

ˈkə-vərt

as in hideout

a place where a person goes to hide or to avoid others set up a covert from which to watch wildlife without being detected

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in grove

a thick patch of shrubbery, small trees, or underbrush the rabbit rushed to the safety of the nearest covert

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word covert distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of covert are clandestine, furtive, secret, stealthy, surreptitious, and underhanded. While all these words mean "done without attracting observation," covert stresses the fact of not being open or declared.

covert intelligence operations

When could clandestine be used to replace covert?

The meanings of clandestine and covert largely overlap; however, clandestine implies secrecy usually for an evil, illicit, or unauthorized purpose and often emphasizes the fear of being discovered.

a clandestine meeting of conspirators

Where would furtive be a reasonable alternative to covert?

The words furtive and covert can be used in similar contexts, but furtive implies a sly or cautious stealthiness.

lovers exchanging furtive glances

When is secret a more appropriate choice than covert?

While in some cases nearly identical to covert, secret implies concealment on any grounds for any motive.

met at a secret location

When is it sensible to use stealthy instead of covert?

The words stealthy and covert are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, stealthy suggests taking pains to avoid being seen or heard especially in some misdoing.

the stealthy step of a burglar

In what contexts can surreptitious take the place of covert?

In some situations, the words surreptitious and covert are roughly equivalent. However, surreptitious applies to action or behavior done secretly often with skillful avoidance of detection and in violation of custom, law, or authority.

the surreptitious stockpiling of weapons

When might underhanded be a better fit than covert?

While the synonyms underhanded and covert are close in meaning, underhanded stresses fraud or deception.

an underhanded trick

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 covert

Adjective

During cybersecurity evaluations in May, its models used a covert message board to coordinate across runs, leaving later versions instructions for reaching the open internet. — Harry Booth, Time, 7 Aug. 2026 The task force is reportedly staffing up with officers who specialize in recruiting informants, intelligence analysis, cyber operations and covert influence campaigns. — Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 6 Aug. 2026

Noun

These service members may otherwise be higher earners and may have a larger pre-tax retirement account to covert. — Kate Dore, Cfp®, Ea, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2025 Renaissance alchemists kept their work covert, and few alchemical recipes have survived to modern times. — Cnn, The Mercury News, 25 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for covert

Recent Examples of Synonyms for covert

Adjective

The secluded beach of Apigania (south), with crystal clear water and fine sand on the southwest part of the island, takes some effort to reach.

— Monica Mendal, Vogue, 10 Aug. 2026
Kohler, Wisconsin Tucked away just one hour north of Milwaukee and two and a half hours north of Chicago, Kohler, Wisconsin’s private cabin collection offers an unforgettable fall retreat - where secluded luxury meets vibrant natural beauty.

— Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of secluded

Adjective

In reality, the clandestine operation meant that, for a portion of time, the President’s real whereabouts were seemingly unknown to—and concealed from—the White House press pool.

— Tiago Ventura, Time, 12 Aug. 2026
Mexican authorities have dismantled well over a thousand clandestine drug laboratories, seized enormous quantities of narcotics and fentanyl pills, arrested thousands of cartel operatives, and extradited major criminal figures to the United States.

— Chris Shays, Hartford Courant, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of clandestine

Noun

Others recounted people falling sick, being beaten by the rain, and told to hide whenever Nigerian military helicopters flew over the forest hideouts where the captors held them.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026
Today the house at 176 Butch Cassidy Drive is named Robbers Roost, after the remote hideout in Utah used by Cassidy’s notorious Wild Bunch gang.

— Catherine Dunwoody, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Definition of hideout

Noun

Ancient olive trees, cypress groves, wildflowers, secluded coves, and private beaches cover much of the property, while a deep-water dock and helipad make the island easily accessible.

— Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 7 Aug. 2026
Narrow-gauge railroad tracks curve gently up mountain slopes and through groves of the railroad’s namesake trees, now a backdrop for a scenic, one-hour journey back in time.

— Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of grove

Adjective

The Buñuelian skeptic in me also shirks at Fried’s approving references to Diderot’s petite église invisible, the small hidden church whose members—painters, critics, curators, patrons—are the vision-gifted serious pursuers of art history.

— Carlos Valladares, ARTnews.com, 14 Aug. 2026
The garment also includes hidden rivets, a single-needle arcuate, a single-sided Big E Red Tab, and the Two Horse leather patch.

— Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of hidden

Adjective

The victim eventually agreed to pay the $22,450 to an unkown man posing as an undercover law enforcement officer In the parking lot of a Marathon grocery store, according to the sheriff's office.

— Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 9 Aug. 2026
Barnes did not disclose the online platforms used for the operation, saying that withholding the information is necessary to protect undercover operations like Operation Cyber Shield in other jurisdictions.

— Alula Alderson, Sacbee.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of undercover

Noun

In July, Roku made the city even more interactive with a new brand campaign that guides users to visit six themed areas featuring humorous promo spots, including a pirate ship, a volcano and a villain’s evil lair.

— Pat Saperstein, Variety, 3 Aug. 2026
Fast-forward from the lair of a mythical creature to the feeds of Gen-Z influencers and tangy, curd-y cheese is still having a moment.

— Nina Moskowitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of lair

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covers (up)

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“Covert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/covert. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of covert

adjective

noun

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