hide 1 of 3

verb (1)

ˈhīd How to pronounce hide (audio)
Definition of hidenext
1
as in to conceal
to put into a hiding place the thief had hidden the stolen jewelry under the floorboards

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
3
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)

1
as in to lick
to strike repeatedly the grizzled quartermaster threatened to hide any soldier caught stealing provisions

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2
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

1
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

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
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
Now let’s talk dividends: Allegion yields just 1.5% today, but that meager figure hides the fact that its payout has shot up 410% in the last decade. —Brett Owens, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025 The bobcats would sometimes venture into nearby West Hartford by utilizing riparian zones or brush near rivers or streams and staying hidden. —Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 2 Apr. 2025
Noun
One man allegedly unloaded his pistol into Mary, only to find that the bullets were incapable of penetrating her thick hide. —Scott Travers, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025 And the Leather and Hide Council of America estimates that one metric ton of hides in a landfill generates more than 13 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions. —Jennifer Bringle, WWD, 12 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for hide
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hide
  1. pelt
  2. leather
  3. fur
  4. skin
  5. seal
  6. coat
Noun
  • Norway, like Finland a major producer of fox pelts, banned fur farming in 2018 after evidence of animal welfare violations surfaced.
    — Katharina Buchholz, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Now, Coast Salish researchers and other experts are documenting this story, with the help of a 160-year-old pelt.
    — The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 31 Dec. 2024
Definition of pelt
Noun
  • Known for: Its quiet luxury aesthetic that puts premium leather and craftsmanship at the forefront.
    — Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The soft leather looks best when done up in a snake print, as far as we’re concerned, which will instantly grant your off-duty stylings more oomph.
    — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of leather
Noun
  • The viral TikTok gadget crushes fur and lint like nothing else.
    — Simon Hill, Wired News, 28 Mar. 2025
  • This allowed antler collectors and other interested buyers to walk past some of the piles of furs and stacks of trophy antlers — mostly from elk and mule deer, although the DWR says a few moose, sheep, and pronghorn are in the mix as well.
    — Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 27 Mar. 2025
Definition of fur
Noun
  • On top of that, when your roots and pillow are damp, that creates a moist, warm breeding ground ideal for Malassezia yeast, which in excess, can cause dandruff, per Dr. Cheng, or an inflammatory skin condition called seborrheic dermatitis (characterized by itchy, greasy patches).
    — Jenna Ryu, SELF, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Velellas aren’t a serious threat to humans, but last year Carolyn Belak, an aquatic ecologist at the environmental consulting firm H. T. Harvey & Associates, advised people not to touch them, since their small stingers could still irritate the skin, per SFGATE’s Ashley Harrell.
    — Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of skin
Noun
  • Tariffs targeting uninhabited volcanic Heard Island and McDonald Islands, a remote territory inhabited only by penguins, seals, and seabirds were included on Trump's list.
    — John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Apr. 2025
  • Research suggests that vitamin D deficiency reduces production of the receptors the nutrient binds to, subsequently reducing the seal of the intestinal wall.
    — Cristina Palacios, The Conversation, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of seal
Noun
  • Toss until butter is melted and evenly coats asparagus.
    — Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 28 Mar. 2025
  • The look was simple: a black Louis Vuitton crewneck sweater with light-wash straight-legged jeans, worn underneath a black below-the-knee coat from Maison Margiela, and a pair of black lug-sole boots.
    — Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of coat

Browse Nearby Words

hidden taxes
hide
hideaway
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Cite this Entry

“Hide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hide. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on hide

Nglish: Translation of hide for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hide

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