hide 1 of 3

verb (1)

ˈhīd How to pronounce hide (audio)
Definition of hidenext
1
as in to conceal
to put into a hiding place the thief had hidden the stolen jewelry under the floorboards

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to obscure
to keep secret or shut off from view he tried to hide his criminal past she hid the cat's litter box behind a screen

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to lie
to remain out of sight he hid in the closet while his roommate lied to the probation officer

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

hide

2 of 3

verb (2)

1
as in to lick
to strike repeatedly the grizzled quartermaster threatened to hide any soldier caught stealing provisions

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2
as in to whip
to strike repeatedly with something long and thin or flexible threatened to hide the boys with his cane if he ever found them on his property again

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hide

3 of 3

noun

1
as in pelt
the outer covering of an animal removed for its commercial value seal hides are used by Eskimos to make footwear, boats, shelters, bags, and clothing

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2
as in leather
the hairless natural covering of an animal prepared for use boots made of shiny alligator hide

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word hide distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of hide are bury, conceal, screen, and secrete. While all these words mean "to withhold or withdraw from sight," hide may or may not suggest intent.

hide in the closet
a house hidden in the woods

When might bury be a better fit than hide?

The words bury and hide are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, bury implies covering up so as to hide completely.

buried the treasure

When could conceal be used to replace hide?

In some situations, the words conceal and hide are roughly equivalent. However, conceal usually does imply intent and often specifically implies a refusal to divulge.

concealed the weapon

Where would screen be a reasonable alternative to hide?

Although the words screen and hide have much in common, screen implies an interposing of something that prevents discovery.

a house screened by trees

When would secrete be a good substitute for hide?

The meanings of secrete and hide largely overlap; however, 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 hide
Verb
Key to the film’s success is leading lady Maberly, a great British actress who seems to be have been hiding in plain sight so far. — Damon Wise, Deadline, 9 Mar. 2025 Governments throughout the country are destroying public encampments and developing new ways to hide, but not resolve, public homelessness. — Robert M. Hayes, New York Daily News, 9 Mar. 2025
Noun
Hungarian photographer Bence Máté spent 27 days watching from a hide before capturing this shot. — Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Jan. 2025 The highest-grade leather for a sofa is full-grain leather, which uses the outer layer of the hide. — Maria Conti, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hide
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hide
  1. pelt
  2. leather
  3. fur
  4. skin
  5. seal
  6. coat
Noun
  • Arsenal’s Leno had just blocked from Christian Eriksen, but the ball was headed out to Moussa Sissoko who thwacked it full pelt from the edge of the box.
    — Tim Spiers, The Athletic, 17 Dec. 2024
  • Soon, Siberian fur traders were trapping and harvesting pelts in the Aleutian Islands and around the island of Kodiak off Alaska’s southern coast.
    — Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Jan. 2025
Definition of pelt
Noun
  • The blue and yellow touches stand out nicely against the white leather upper.
    — Clint Davis, People.com, 19 Mar. 2025
  • The facility is climate controlled to ensure that delicate fabrics and fine leathers are safe from humidity and other external factors.
    — Bianca Salonga, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of leather
Noun
  • On past outings, Rih has also stepped out in looks that paired fanciful fur coats with low-slung jeans and sneakers.
    — Christian Allaire, Vogue, 16 Mar. 2025
  • On March 15, the Verity star attended Moncler Grenoble's snowy fall/winter 2025 fashion show in Courchevel, France, wearing a dramatic chocolate fur coat with a complete look from the luxury outerwear brand.
    — Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of fur
Noun
  • Balancing risks and benefits The warnings from medical professionals of sunlight leading to skin cancer may have caused decreased exposure, the doctor suggested.
    — Angelica Stabile, Fox News, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Competitions are one fun way to put some skin in the game.
    — Lindsey Bartlett, Rolling Stone, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of skin
Noun
  • Vandersloot wants to be the veteran who rewards Cardoso’s high seals with pinpoint over-the-top lobs and builds more efficient finishing opportunities for Reese at the rim.
    — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Though seals breed between late October and December, there are still seals at the nearby breeding sites, potentially including young seals.
    — Lauren Lowman, WIRED, 15 Mar. 2025
Definition of seal
Noun
  • In early February, Swift signaled the style could persevere until summer by pairing a short Charlotte Simone coat with a tank top and shorts that were more on par with New Orlean's outdoor temperatures at the time.
    — Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 16 Mar. 2025
  • On past outings, Rih has also stepped out in looks that paired fanciful fur coats with low-slung jeans and sneakers.
    — Christian Allaire, Vogue, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of coat

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Cite this Entry

“Hide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hide. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on hide

Nglish: Translation of hide for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hide

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