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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 In March, the CDC buried a measles forecast that stressed the need for vaccinations, according to a report by ProPublica. Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 9 Apr. 2025 The 15 paramedics and emergency responders were shot dead on March 23 and buried in a shallow grave where their bodies were found a week later by officials from the United Nations and the Palestinian Red Crescent. James MacKenzie, USA Today, 7 Apr. 2025 They were surrounded by stones and buried with elaborate grave goods, researchers said. Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2025 The structure is made of opus reticulatum—bricks laid in a diamond pattern—and contains a volcanic rock called tuff: details suggesting high status individuals were buried here, as Artnet News’ Richard Whiddington reports. Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bury
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bury
Verb
  • The remains were interred at U.S. Military Cemetery Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer, near Omaha Beach, and marked as X-159 St. Laurent.
    Kerry Breen, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2025
  • When Willie Lincoln, the third son of President Lincoln, died at age 11 of typhoid fever, he was interred in a mausoleum in Oak Hill Cemetery.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Immigration advocates, attorneys and civil litigators are warning against the normalization of federal agents concealing their faces while detaining nonviolent students.
    Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Passport wallets are a great way to keep your important documents, money and cards all organized and concealed for extra peace of mind both in the airport and while out on your next adventure abroad.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Republicans will need Democratic support to overcome a 60-vote threshold to be able to pass the bill in the Senate.
    John Parkinson, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Prior court decisions and guidance from the Department of Justice have set up hurdles to overcome before the court is forced to overpass a reporter’s privilege to protect sources.
    Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 9 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Ellie hides her injury from Dina when her friend arrives to rescue her, and the women are summoned to appear before the town leaders to share their experience.
    Sara Netzley, EW.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • The titles of 12 such books — some of which may have been published before 2025 — are hidden below within an unrelated text passage.
    J. D. Biersdorfer, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Several viral videos have captured audiences of the blockbuster video game adaptation going wild, throwing food and drink, and trashing auditoriums.
    Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Augusta National Golf Club throws its support behind distance restrictions of golf balls and improving the pace of play.
    Bob Spear, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The oil will smother active and recently settled crawlers.
    Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 6 Apr. 2025
  • Moving in too soon can smother the spark that initially brought you together.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • On April 19, 1995, Timothy McVeigh bombed a federal building, killing 167 people and injuring 684.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Apr. 2025
  • Israel has bombed, besieged and raided them, some several times, while accusing Hamas of using them as cover for its fighters.
    Wafaa Shurafa and Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • That means your voice, your rhythm, your particular way of saying something—these are at risk of being flattened.
    Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • One house is basically flattened, another partially collapsed, and others damaged.
    Mitchell Willetts, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Apr. 2025

Cite this Entry

“Bury.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bury. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

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