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

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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
One person could cover a wider part of the process, provided that person understood how to work with AI and remained responsible for the final result. — Arthur Azizov, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026 To wrap the Brie, pick up each corner of the dough and cover the cheese, creating overlapping layers as needed. — ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026
Noun
And thanks to popular qualities like 100% cotton sateen covers with 200- to 400-thread counts, these pillows also offer a breathable feel and sumptuous look. — Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 2 Oct. 2026 Allen was dropped by his record label after a series of lawsuits were filed against him a few years ago (one was eventually dropped), but has quietly attempted a comeback, releasing a string of new songs and covers. — Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cover
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cover
Verb
  • If that doesn’t happen, the district will have to substitute equivalent cuts elsewhere.
    — Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Even a few tweaks on the experiment to substitute the heavy water for a layer of graphite would have failed, given the purity of the materials available.
    — Mike McRae October 06, New Atlas, 6 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil Have cleansing oils left your skin feeling coated in a greasy film?
    — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The baits are around the size of a matchbox and coated with fishmeal to attract raccoons.
    — Eva Flowe October 7, Charlotte Observer, 7 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Legal experts say the industry’s claim to be shielded by federal law is weak.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026
  • The feels-like temperature was 105 degrees, with umpires chugging water between innings and fans shielding their heads with giveaway towels on a cloudless day.
    — Beth Harris, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • In turn, an interpretation may report that no concerning variant was found without making clear that the relevant gene was not fully examined.
    — Euan Ashley, STAT, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Emirati prosecutors opened an investigation after a co-pilot stabbed his captain mid-flight, asserting jurisdiction over a crime that also concerns Saudi Arabia and Israel.
    — Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 1 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • According to prosecutors, Ramirez, Niembro and others concealed from Nodus board members, executives and Puerto Rico banking regulators that investments and loans made by the institution benefited Ramirez and Niembro themselves.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The tax evasion charge involved concealing income and filing false tax returns for that year, according to the indictment.
    — Christopher Harris, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé, the only other player to cross the nine-figure threshold, lands in the third spot at $105 million.
    — Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Video circulating on social media showed a drone striking the bridge and exploding as vehicles crossed.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Additionally, staffers in the agency’s information technology and human resources divisions said the Controller’s Office generally doesn’t monitor where employees telework.
    — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Health authorities in Kenya have placed the country's border points on high alert and are monitoring for possible additional cases.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • But data, though personal and medical in nature, is not covered by HIPAA, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, which protects personal electronic health data in other contexts.
    — Sparkle Rainey Tribune News Service, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
  • These women pressured local judges and sheriffs, and would actively show up to courthouses, protecting potential lynching victims with thier own bodies.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Cover.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cover. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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