Synonyms of bury

bury

verb

ˈber-ē 

1

as in to inter

to place (a dead body) in the earth, a tomb, or the sea

he died on Tuesday and was buried on Friday

Synonyms & Similar Words

• inter
• hide
• lay
• tomb
• entomb
• conceal
• put away
• inhume
• hearse
• enshrine
• rebury
• cover
• immure
• ensconce
• obscure
• shield
• coffin
• shade
• curtain
• enshroud
• cloak
• inurn
• shroud
• reinter

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unearth
• exhume
• disinter
• burn
• reveal
• expose
• disclose
• discover
• show
• cremate
• bare
• display
• exhibit
• uncoffin

2

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

• conceal
• hide
• secrete
• stash
• cache
• ensconce
• hoard
• inter
• entomb
• squirrel (away)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• display
• expose
• reveal
• exhibit
• uncover
• show
• bare
• unveil
• unmask
• show off
• flaunt
• parade
• unwrap
• unearth
• disinter

3

as in to overcome

to defeat by a large margin

if we don't work harder, the other softball team will bury us

Synonyms & Similar Words

• overcome
• throw
• smother
• bomb
• flatten
• annihilate
• upset
• whip
• beat
• dust
• take
• master
• blow away
• trim
• overwhelm
• skin
• thrash
• paste
• rout
• smoke
• top
• destroy
• clobber
• trounce
• cream
• wax
• sweep
• conquer
• surpass
• exceed
• snow under
• succeed
• eat alive
• drub
• lick
• beat the pants off
• whup
• run circles around
• tromp
• wallop
• wipe the floor with
• whop
• crush
• worst
• score
• dispatch
• best
• shellac
• skunk
• whomp
• subdue
• cap
• better
• surmount
• subjugate
• vanquish
• slaughter
• win (against)
• prevail (over)
• overthrow
• triumph (over)
• outdo
• overpower
• transcend
• finish
• outshine
• hurdle
• outstrip
• knock over
• outdistance
• upend
• ace (out)
• flourish
• overtop
• eclipse
• edge (out)
• overbear
• sink
• excel
• break
• knock off
• overmatch
• nose out
• outfight
• pip
• do in

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

Recent Examples of bury

The bodies were found buried in the backyard and were in a state of decomposition, police said. — Phil Helsel, NBC news, 6 Aug. 2026

In Bosnia, people are still identifying and burying their dead 31 years after the Srebrenica massacre. — Lina Sergie Attar, Time, 6 Aug. 2026

The project, led by Visit Loveland, will replace a much smaller capsule buried 50 years ago during Colorado's centennial celebration. — Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026

The couple load Burke into the trunk of a car, steal shovels from a store, and bury their victim alive. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2026