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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 When Murray buried the team’s first three just before the first-quarter buzzer, the Nuggets were suddenly down only 31-27. Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 29 Jan. 2025 The saga was supposed to get its most prominent airing yet on Wednesday at Mountain View Cemetery, where two of Owen’s siblings are buried and where a plaque is inscribed with his name and image. Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2025 Since filming, charges against Baldwin in New Mexico were dismissed after Baldwin's attorneys alleged prosecutors had buried evidence. Angela Andaloro, People.com, 27 Jan. 2025 With typically sunny locations buried in snow, we’re reminded of the importance of being prepared for all conditions. Genevieve Cepeda, Travel + Leisure, 26 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for bury 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bury
Verb
  • The gravestones are numbered to reflect the burial system that was developed to properly inter hundreds of victims whose bodies were never claimed or identified.
    Jennifer Jett, NBC News, 26 Dec. 2024
  • Although interred as an Unknown in MACM, Hansen’s grave was meticulously cared for over the past 70 years by the American Battle Monuments Commission.
    Drake Bentley, Journal Sentinel, 20 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • The Nazis wanted to conceal the crime by burning the bodies on mass pyres.
    Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 22 Jan. 2025
  • On a second trip to the same area in July, researchers found the species concealed among the leaf litter layer making no noise.
    Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 21 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Making the playoffs and maybe even surprising in them would be Miami’s greatest statement of resolve and flex of Heat Culture — to have overcome the capital-D distraction and drama that might have detonated this season.
    Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2025
  • The Chiefs couldn’t overcome losses to tight end Travis Kelce, who left the game at the end of the second quarter with a concussion, and defensive lineman Chris Jones, who left the game on the first drive of the third quarter with a knee injury.
    Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 30 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Asked about his identity and to provide authorization, Deng tried to hide his equipment and flee, prompting the officials to take him and his companions into custody.
    Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025
  • The entrance is like a secret garden, a shrouded staircase that is trying its best to hide from the throngs of visitors looking for this exact type of postcard-perfect view.
    Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 21 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • On one hand, that makes sense as an analogue of the pandemic, since the undead throw a wrench into any and all plans.
    Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 29 Jan. 2025
  • Some comments from Monday’s press conference introducing Brian Schottenheimer as head coach may lead some to believe that the front office could throw some investments around, but that will remain to be seen.
    Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Whereas United smothered City at the Etihad and took the game to them, on Wednesday at Leigh Sports Village — where the atmosphere was flat — the hosts sat off City, an aspect noted by visiting manager Gareth Taylor.
    Charlotte Harpur, The Athletic, 23 Jan. 2025
  • So not counting out the Rams, but Philadelphia just has so many ways to beat you, and that Eagles defense is smothering.
    Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The destruction in parts of Altadena, a few miles to the west of Sierra Madre, and Pacific Palisades, which had burned in a separate fire on the other side of Los Angeles, made these areas appear bombed out.
    M. R. O’Connor, The New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2025
  • While The Crow bombed after a heartwarming buildup, opening at $4.6 million against a budget of at least $50 million, LaBeouf has appeared in Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis and shot a film with David Mamet, signaling a post–Me Too comeback.
    Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 24 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Climate scientists warned us for years Mainstream media is finally reporting that the L.A. fires, like the catastrophic wildfires that flattened Maui last year, are the largely product of climate change.
    Sabrina Haake, Chicago Tribune, 18 Jan. 2025
  • How does Knoblauch increase the deployment of a line that flattens opponents, effectively turning five-on-five time into an Edmonton power play?
    Allan Mitchell, The Athletic, 17 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near bury

Cite this Entry

“Bury.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bury. Accessed 4 Feb. 2025.

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