HIDE Synonyms: 261 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

hide 1 of 3

verb (1)

ˈhīd

Definition of hide next

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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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)

as in to lick

to strike repeatedly the grizzled quartermaster threatened to hide any soldier caught stealing provisions

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

hide

3 of 3

noun

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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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

While millions were shoveling snow or hiding out from the Arctic blast in the Northeast, the President-elect Donald Trump and his wife Melania attended a Candlelight Dinner at the National Building Museum Sunday night. —

Rosemary Feitelberg, WWD, 20 Jan. 2025 Some attendees couldn’t hide their disappointment at missing the event in person, but shrugged it off and reveled in the moment. —

Zac Anderson, USA TODAY, 20 Jan. 2025

Noun

The judges called out the resultant spiciness in their comments: The nose greets with classic, inviting aromas of animal hide and smoky campfire embers. —

Hudson Lindenberger, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025 By contrast, animal hides are often non-biodegradable since they’re frequently coated in plastic—another untruth that has been promulgated by the industry. —

Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 2 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for hide

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hide

Noun

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
The hatmakers of Europe, buried in the pelts of otters and beavers from the lush New World, experimented with various substances to create felt.

— Sallie Tisdale, Harper's Magazine, 2 Dec. 2024

Definition of pelt

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

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Last Updated: 2 Feb 2025 - Updated example sentences

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Synonyms of hide

verb (1)

verb (2)

noun

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