1
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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3

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

Examples 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 These were all buried at sea in a steel vault with full military honors and the ceremony carefully recorded in anticipation for when the Soviets learned the truth about Project Azorian. David Szondy, New Atlas, 4 Jan. 2025 The Carter family then will return to bury its patriarch in Plains after a private hometown funeral at 3:45 p.m. at Maranatha Baptist Church, where Carter, a devout evangelical, taught Sunday School for decades. Bill Barrow, Los Angeles Times, 4 Jan. 2025 His funeral proceedings will take place over multiple days, ending in a Jan. 9 interment at his home, where he will be buried next to his late wife Rosalynn Carter, who died at age 96 in November 2023. Nicholas Rice, People.com, 4 Jan. 2025 However, those have been buried and are now largely inaccessible. Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 3 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for bury 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bury
Verb
  • 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
  • The results demonstrate that Moche elites were interred with family members, including some raised far from their parental homes.
    George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 30 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Gibson is making 1991’s Dexter his own, Brown said, by thriving in the complex mask-work that’s required to play a lethal psychopath learning to conceal his still-emerging condition.
    Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 23 Dec. 2024
  • Lewis-Martin asked the investors to use the encrypted messaging app Signal to conceal the scheme, Bragg's office said.
    Brendan Pierson, USA TODAY, 20 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Sabalenka had to battle past Mirra Andreeva in the semis in a tougher match than the 6-3, 6-2 scoreline suggests, before overcoming a wobbly first set to beat qualifier Polina Kudermetova 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 in the final.
    Charlie Eccleshare, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025
  • The Lakers’ comeback attempt against the Houston Rockets on Sunday was thwarted by errant out-of-bounds plays late, stopping them from overcoming the Rockets’ early interior dominance.
    Khobi Price, Orange County Register, 6 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • At the time, wolves were still considered predatory varmints to be shot from airplanes, trapped and snared for $100 bounty and whatever hides would bring.
    Al Wolter, Outdoor Life, 10 Jan. 2025
  • Set in a swanky apartment hidden above a cobblestone street, this intimate cooking class teaches you both the simplicity and complexity of Italian pasta.
    Anna Haines, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Of course, best-sellers like the totally versatile Everywhere Belt Bag and the buttery-soft Align High-rise Pant leggings made the list, but there were a few surprises thrown into the mix.
    Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 5 Jan. 2025
  • Pedretti and another friend fulfilled Henneman’s last wish to have a Christmas party and threw one replete with festive cheer on Nov. 6, 2020.
    Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 5 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Their pressing smothered Manchester United and forced them to repeatedly cede possession.
    Ahmed Walid, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024
  • This time, returning to its roots as a horrifying nightmarish sci-fi thriller smothered in jaw-clenching moments.
    Grace Dean, Space.com, 24 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Which helps to explain why so many popular stand-ups have blown their hosting stints; Jo Koy memorably bombed on the Globes stage last year with a misogynistic Barbie riff.
    Judy Berman, TIME, 6 Jan. 2025
  • After last year’s host, Jo Koy, memorably bombed, the emcee this year, Nikki Glaser, could hardly do worse.
    Stephanie Goodman, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Even as trends that promote individuality emerge, the flattening nature of the algorithm means the average person interacts with them the way TikTok and other social media sites directly suggest: by spending money.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 9 Jan. 2025
  • Various pages were turned inward, or tagged, or have flattened corners.
    Alexis Wright, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near bury

Cite this Entry

“Bury.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bury. Accessed 15 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on bury

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!