conceal

verb

kən-ˈsēl How to pronounce conceal (audio)
Definition of concealnext
1
as in to hide
to put into a hiding place wisely concealed the documents in a drawer beneath a false bottom

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to obscure
to keep secret or shut off from view the defense attorney accused the prosecutor of trying to conceal exculpatory evidence

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Some police agencies routinely conceal names of car accident victims, for which no legitimate public purpose exists. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2025 The case was ultimately dismissed in July 2024 after the judge ruled that the prosecution concealed evidence from Baldwin’s legal team. — Elizabeth Stanton, Fox News, 6 Mar. 2025 Urban Outfitters’ fourth-quarter results concealed underlying challenges, with the flagship brand experiencing its eleventh consecutive quarter of negative growth. — Trefis Team, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025 This adhesive helps conceal the false lashes’ band, especially with black eyeliner. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for conceal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conceal
  1. hide
  2. obscure
  3. bury
  4. suppress
  5. cover
  6. disguise
Verb
  • The ancient springhead, natural waterpark, and retro roadside attraction has more than a few secrets hidden in its eelgrass.
    — Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 22 Mar. 2025
  • But all that family turmoil was hidden, and to most who knew him, Dr. Schwartz seemed to have a beautiful life until the evening of May 28, 2014, when Becky Schwartz came home and discovered her home in disarray.
    — Peter Van Sant, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of hide
Verb
  • But all of this noise obscures the simple way to synthesize all of this: Less is better.
    — Dylan Scott, Vox, 14 Mar. 2025
  • From Blue Ghost’s landing site in the Sea of Crises (close to the Sea of Tranquility, where Apollo 11 landed in 1969), totality — when Earth will completely obscure the sun as seen from the moon — will start at 1:18 a.m.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of obscure
Verb
  • Gaza’s health ministry said the toll was likely to rise with many people buried under rubble.
    — Abeer Salman, CNN, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Scattered across a chain of subtropical islands in southwestern Japan, buried under rocks, or deep within the region’s humid soil, researchers discovered seven new species with segmented bodies and dozens of slender legs.
    — Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of bury
Verb
  • So could a weight loss medication that blocks opiate receptors along with suppressing appetite be effective?
    — Andrea Muraskin, NPR, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Consider the scenario of deeper economic stagnation: a prolonged downturn could significantly delay the recovery of the housing sector, exacerbating affordability struggles, and suppressing new residential construction.
    — Ali Hoss, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of suppress
Verb
  • Furthermore, not all insurance companies cover the testing.
    — Ellen Matloff, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
  • If reaching a safe shelter is not possible, either crouch down in your car and cover your head, or leave your vehicle and seek refuge in a low-lying area like a ditch or ravine.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of cover
Verb
  • Some Tesla owners have reported their cars being vandalized, while other embarrassed drivers have even tried to disguise their cars as models by other manufacturers.
    — Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Harwell disguised her self-payments as refunds, but auditors noticed these negative transactions only happened during her weekend shifts, according to police.
    — Olivia Lloyd, Miami Herald, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of disguise

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Cite this Entry

“Conceal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conceal. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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