co·vert
ˈkō-(ˌ)vərt 
kō-ˈvərt
ˈkə-vərt
kō-ˈvərt
ˈkə-vərt
1
: not openly shown, engaged in, or avowed : veiled
a covert alliance
a covert military operation
covert racism
covertly
adverb
covertness
noun
1
2
: a feather covering the bases of the quills of the wings and tail of a bird see wing illustration
3
: a firm durable twilled sometimes waterproofed cloth usually of mixed-color yarns
Synonyms
Examples of covert in a Sentence
Adjective
He has taken part in a number of covert military operations.
spy agencies taking covert action
Noun
set up a covert from which to watch wildlife without being detected
the rabbit rushed to the safety of the nearest covert
Recent Examples on the Web
The New Yorker, 5 Nov. 2024
For this covert theft, cybercriminals need backdoor access to your site.
—Alex Vakulov, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
Nardine Saad, Los Angeles Times, 13 Feb. 2024
The president is the country’s top intelligence consumer and the only person who can authorize a covert
This article is part of our premium archives.
—Jami Miscik, Foreign Affairs, 17 Apr. 2017
See all Example Sentences for covert 
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Adjective
In a classified assessment prepared in early October, U.S. intelligence agencies concluded that Russia, which favors Donald Trump, and Iran, which prefers Kamala Harris, were both plotting covert propaganda campaigns to sow post-election discord over the vote counting.
—The New Yorker, 5 Nov. 2024
For this covert theft, cybercriminals need backdoor access to your site.
—Alex Vakulov, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
Noun
But keeping the commercial covert was especially challenging after his wife, Martel Thompson Hale — who is a makeup artist — worked with him on the ad.
—Nardine Saad, Los Angeles Times, 13 Feb. 2024
The president is the country’s top intelligence consumer and the only person who can authorize a covert
This article is part of our premium archives.
—Jami Miscik, Foreign Affairs, 17 Apr. 2017
See all Example Sentences for covert
Dictionary Entries Near covert
Cite this Entry
“Covert.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/covert. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
covert
1 of 2 adjective
co·vert
ˈkō-(ˌ)vərt
kō-ˈvərt
kō-ˈvərt
ˈkəv-ərt
1
: not openly made or done
covert military operations
2
: covered over : sheltered
a covert nook
covertly
adverb
covertness
noun
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