covert
Done in shadows
Covert means hidden, secret, or not openly acknowledged.
A covert operation is conducted without public knowledge.
Covert glances are stolen looks meant to go unnoticed.
The word often appears in military and intelligence contexts: covert surveillance, covert agents.
As a noun, a covert is a thicket providing shelter for game birds—a place of concealment.
Kept out of sight
- concealedMade invisible deliberately
- secretConcealed information
- disguisedConcealed true identity
- maskedHaving face covered
veiled · shrouded · camouflaged · obscured · unseen · invisible · buried · latent
Covert information gatherer
- agentOne who acts independently
- operativeCovert field agent
- infiltrationCovert entry into organization
- surveillanceSystematic observation of subjects
intelligence · counterintelligence · reconnaissance · sabotage · handler · asset · informant · mole
Concealment through misdirection
- façadeFalse outward appearance
- pretenseDeceptive outward show
- guiseExternal manner shown
- masqueradeDeceptive act or costume party
feint · ruse · subterfuge · dissemble · misdirection · front · decoy · disinformation
Restricted from disclosure
- confidentialMeant to stay secret
- privateRestricted to certain parties
- privilegedHaving special advantages
- restrictedLimited in scope
need-to-know · top-secret · hush-hush · off-the-record · cloak-and-dagger · back-channel · nonpublic · discreet
Dense shrub cluster
- brushBristled cleaning tool
- undergrowthLow forest vegetation
- copseSmall group of trees
- brakeDevice to slow motion
hidden
Kept out of sight
masked · veiled · shrouded · camouflaged · obscured · unseen · invisible · buried · latent · undisclosed
spy
Covert information gatherer
- agentOne who acts independently
- operativeCovert field agent
- infiltrationCovert entry into organization
surveillance · intelligence · counterintelligence · reconnaissance · sabotage · handler · asset · informant · mole · dead-drop
smokescreen
Concealment through misdirection
masquerade · feint · ruse · subterfuge · dissemble · misdirection · front · decoy · disinformation · false-flag
classified
Restricted from disclosure
- confidentialMeant to stay secret
- privateRestricted to certain parties
- privilegedHaving special advantages
restricted · need-to-know · top-secret · hush-hush · off-the-record · cloak-and-dagger · back-channel · nonpublic · discreet · secretive
thicket
Dense shrub cluster
- brushBristled cleaning tool
- undergrowthLow forest vegetation
- copseSmall group of trees
twill
Diagonal-ribbed fabric
- political intrigueintrigue, conspiracy, treason, plot, collusion
- espionagespy, spies, double agent, double agents, spying
- feathersfeather, feathers, plume, down feathers, quill
- secrecysecrecy, secret, secrets, confidential, classified
- behaviorshabit, aggressive, agitation, conduct, passive
- concealmentconceal, hiding, concealing, concealed, hide
covertfrank
Open and direct
candid · straightforward · forthright · honest · direct
- cover upConceal misdeeds or errors
- take coverSeek immediate protection
- book coverProtective outer binding
- under the coversBeneath bed linens
- no coverFree admission policy
- covering upHiding wrongdoing from others
cover, recover, uncover, covering, covered, recovery, covers, coverage, discover