HIDE Synonyms: 261 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of hide are bury , conceal , screen , and secrete . While all these words mean "to withhold or withdraw from sight," hide may or may not suggest intent. // hide in the closet // a house hidden in the woods

Q: When might 'bury' be a better fit than 'hide'?

The words bury and hide are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, bury implies covering up so as to hide completely. // buried the treasure

Q: When could 'conceal' be used to replace 'hide'?

In some situations, the words conceal and hide are roughly equivalent. However, conceal usually does imply intent and often specifically implies a refusal to divulge. // concealed the weapon

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

Although the words screen and hide have much in common, screen implies an interposing of something that prevents discovery. // a house screened by trees

Q: When would 'secrete' be a good substitute for 'hide'?

The meanings of secrete and hide largely overlap; however, secrete suggests a depositing in a place unknown to others. // secreted the amulet inside his shirt

hide 1 of 3

verb (1)

ˈhīd

Definition of hide

as in to conceal

to put into a hiding place the thief had hidden the stolen jewelry under the floorboards

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to obscure

to keep secret or shut off from view he tried to hide his criminal past she hid the cat's litter box behind a screen

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to lie

to remain out of sight he hid in the closet while his roommate lied to the probation officer

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

hide

2 of 3

verb (2)

as in to lick

to strike repeatedly the grizzled quartermaster threatened to hide any soldier caught stealing provisions

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as in to whip

to strike repeatedly with something long and thin or flexible threatened to hide the boys with his cane if he ever found them on his property again

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hide

3 of 3

noun

as in pelt

the outer covering of an animal removed for its commercial value seal hides are used by Eskimos to make footwear, boats, shelters, bags, and clothing

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as in leather

the hairless natural covering of an animal prepared for use boots made of shiny alligator hide

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word hide distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of hide are bury, conceal, screen, and secrete. While all these words mean "to withhold or withdraw from sight," hide may or may not suggest intent.

hide in the closet

a house hidden in the woods

When might bury be a better fit than hide?

The words bury and hide are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, bury implies covering up so as to hide completely.

buried the treasure

When could conceal be used to replace hide?

In some situations, the words conceal and hide are roughly equivalent. However, conceal usually does imply intent and often specifically implies a refusal to divulge.

concealed the weapon

Where would screen be a reasonable alternative to hide?

Although the words screen and hide have much in common, screen implies an interposing of something that prevents discovery.

a house screened by trees

When would secrete be a good substitute for hide?

The meanings of secrete and hide largely overlap; however, 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 hide

Verb

Early tension could make private stress harder to hide, especially if errands, conversations, or family plans keep pushing you past your limits. — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Aug. 2026 How to Check Store-Bought Flowers to Prevent Pests Wang recommends rinsing bouquets with water before displaying them to help remove any pests that may be hiding within the flowers. — Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 4 Aug. 2026

Noun

Then back by a slightly different route, past more hides and oiled walnut and blued steel. — John Madson, Outdoor Life, 1 July 2026 Concrete roads poured over the grassy hides of once-mighty creatures. — Joseph Trinidad, Longreads, 16 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for hide

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hide

Verb

The narrator spends years assembling the truth of this death, concealed by his family, and discovers that Calcutta and Dhaka experienced those riots as mirror images of each other.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 July 2026
The sign concealed a smaller building that was a holdout on the corner of West 34th Street and Broadway when Macy's was built in the early 1900s.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 July 2026

Definition of conceal

Verb

Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien, 19, admitted to licking the straw and returning it to the vending machine while recording the act for his online followers.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 30 July 2026
That means no tasting cookie dough made with raw eggs, no licking brownie batter off the beaters, and no homemade Caesar dressing made with uncooked yolks.

— Angela Haupt, Time, 23 July 2026

Definition of lick

Verb

Lesnar whipped Femi into the steel ring steps shoulder-first, but Femi returned the favor.

— Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Prosecutors allege Williams and several other suspects held a victim against his will, pistol whipped him and stripped him of his belongings, Boyd said.

— Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of whip

Noun

The company does a brisk business in sealskin pelts, hats, mittens and earrings, as well as fancy jackets that cost more than $1,000.

— Ivor Prickett, New York Times, 24 July 2026
Others drape seal intestines over their fins or take turns tossing sea lion pelts into the air, Shields said.

— Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 23 July 2026

Definition of pelt

Verb

In even-year elections, opponents say, candidates in local races are buried at the bottom of a crowded ballot.

— Tess Riski July 31, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026
Using software that scans DNA for the genetic signatures of ancient bacteria and viruses, the team analyzed samples from people buried at the Camarones 9 archaeological site.

— Sam Macdonald, Scientific American, 30 July 2026

Definition of bury

Cite this Entry

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“Hide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hide. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of hide

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