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as in to conceal
to put into a hiding place buried his face in his hands as his wife recounted the embarrassing incident

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word bury distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of bury are conceal, hide, screen, and secrete. While all these words mean "to withhold or withdraw from sight," bury implies covering up so as to hide completely.

buried the treasure

When would conceal be a good substitute for bury?

The meanings of conceal and bury largely overlap; however, conceal usually does imply intent and often specifically implies a refusal to divulge.

concealed the weapon

Where would hide be a reasonable alternative to bury?

The synonyms hide and bury 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 bury?

While the synonyms screen and bury are close in meaning, screen implies an interposing of something that prevents discovery.

a house screened by trees

When is it sensible to use secrete instead of bury?

The words secrete and bury can be used in similar contexts, but 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 bury Archaeologists just found it In Denmark, archaeologists unearthed a 1,500-year-old collection of weapons and Roman equipment buried by an ancient chief. Stories By Real-Time News Team, With Ai Summarization, Miami Herald, 7 Feb. 2025 This 2,000-year-old marvel, buried for centuries, offers a rare glimpse into one of Rome's most infamous rulers. Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 6 Feb. 2025 Members of the Congolese Red Cross and civil protection workers bury dozens of victims of the recent clashes at a cemetery in Goma on Tuesday. Reuters, NBC News, 6 Feb. 2025 According to the legend, the axe was buried alongside one of the brothers somewhere in the region. Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for bury 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bury
Verb
  • The individuals were likely interred more than 2,000 years ago, with their graves dating to between 450 and 25 B.C.E.
    Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Feb. 2025
  • At the time Highland was founded in 1909, no cemetery in the city would allow Black families to purchase a burial plot so loved ones could be interred together.
    Natalie Wallington, Kansas City Star, 25 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • These outfits fall straight from shoulders to hip and conceal your waist.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2025
  • At least 37 giant live beetles measuring 4 to 5 inches have been found concealed inside of multiple packages of Japanese snacks, potato chips and chocolate at Los Angeles International Airport, authorities said.
    Jon Haworth, ABC News, 5 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • And Republicans control the Senate 53-47 – which is not a wide enough margin to overcome the 60-vote threshold needed to bypass the filibuster, meaning Republicans will need Democrats to avoid a shutdown.
    Riley Beggin, USA TODAY, 11 Feb. 2025
  • Maybe your motive was to overcome a particular phobia, say, or heal from a really bad breakup.
    Jenna Ryu, SELF, 11 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Dylan notices the slogan and examines the poster to find that Irv hid his drawing of the Exports Hall, with detailed instructions on how to get there written on the back, behind it.
    Megan McCluskey, TIME, 14 Feb. 2025
  • His wife, Avital, who was seven months pregnant at the time, hid in a safe room with their two daughters.
    Julia Frankel, Chicago Tribune, 14 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Katharina told the outlet that her family used to throw parties here in the summer for friends and that one of her six sons actually held his 150-person wedding on the grounds.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 10 Feb. 2025
  • Everyone was being so cautious (when the album debuted at No. 1), and there was really no party to throw.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 10 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Dobson was strangled with a computer extension cord and smothered with a plastic bag.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025
  • Hot dogs are wrapped in bacon and browned, then smothered with a mixture of peppers and onions.
    SAVEUR Editors, Saveur, 5 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The Palestinians who lived there had no homes because their homes were bombed (that is another story for another time).
    Letters to the Editor, Hartford Courant, 7 Feb. 2025
  • But the most dangerous favor, by far, would be U.S. assistance in bombing Iranian nuclear sites — or even threatening to do so in a new campaign of diplomatic coercion.
    Rosemary Kelanic, Twin Cities, 5 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Another man mourns his wife who was flattened by a steamroller.
    Stuart Miller, Orange County Register, 12 Feb. 2025
  • On a team with fine young talent, some exceptional older players who are fading and few difference-makers in their prime, Kane is flattening competition with his power-play acumen.
    Allan Mitchell, The Athletic, 12 Feb. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near bury

Cite this Entry

“Bury.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bury. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.

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