Definition of concealnext

Synonym Chooser

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 Shoplifting by concealing merchandise. Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 26 Apr. 2026 The other is exploring the use of optical and X-ray sensing techniques to detect and analyze nuclear tests from space—including any low-yield or concealed tests. Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 25 Apr. 2026 Abugharbieh was initially charged with unlawfully holding or move a dead human body in unapproved conditions, failure to report a death to the medical examiner or law enforcement (intent to conceal), tampering with physical evidence, false imprisonment and battery, the sheriff’s office said. Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 25 Apr. 2026 Plus, the stain-resistant material helps conceal wear and tear from high-traffic use. Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 25 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for conceal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conceal
Verb
  • The rookie center fielder didn’t bother to hide his delight, jumping and shouting in celebration.
    Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026
  • Carie Hallford was sentenced to 30 years for her role in a scheme that involved hiding nearly 200 decomposing bodies.
    Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • But what exactly happens to these baby stars next isn't always clear (literally) because they are buried deep within clouds of dark, dusty gas that obscure them.
    Keith Cooper, Space.com, 28 Apr. 2026
  • All of that mythology, though, can obscure the real story.
    Jimmy Jellinek, SPIN, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The houses, deemed radioactive, had been levelled and buried, along with the apple orchard.
    Lizzie Johnson, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2026
  • Glen Powell had to face his fears about the face of Hulu’s Chad Powers as co-creator, executive producer and star, even if that face typically is literally buried under layers of prosthetics.
    Scott Huver, Deadline, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Fungicides, for instance, are used to suppress disease-causing pathogens like blights and leaf spots, but might also impact beneficial microbes that live in flowers.
    Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Researchers from the University of Bristol in England and the University at Buffalo in New York found that people actively trying to suppress food cravings were more likely to spend time watching indulgent food content online — yet ended up eating less of it afterward.
    Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Jackson Thompson is a sports reporter for Fox News Digital covering critical political and cultural issues in sports, with an investigative lens.
    Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Uber One is included as a perk on select American Express travel credit cards, like the Amex Platinum, which offers up to $120 in annual statement credits to cover the full cost of a membership.
    Chris Dong, Travel + Leisure, 29 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • This sets up a bafflingly complex series of plots and counterplots that can’t quite disguise the fact that there only two people in the movie’s world with pockets deep enough to buy out the company.
    Damon Wise, Deadline, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Liquids are restricted to very small amounts because there have been terrorist plots in the past in which people disguised liquid explosives as innocuous substances like shampoo or soft drinks.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Conceal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conceal. Accessed 2 May. 2026.

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