Have you ever wanted to express ‘hide’ in a different way? In this article, we will explore 18 useful synonyms for ‘hide’, like conceal, cover, and obscure. You will learn how to use them and make your speaking and writing more interesting.
| Synonym | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Conceal | To keep something secret or out of sight | She tried to conceal the gift under the bed. |
| Cover | To place something over something else to protect or hide it | He covered the box with a cloth. |
| Obscure | To make something difficult to see or understand | The fog obscured the mountain view. |
| Mask | To hide something by putting something else in front | She masked her feelings with a smile. |
| Veil | To hide or cover something with a layer | The bride veiled her face with a scarf. |
| Shroud | To cover or hide completely | Mist shrouded the forest in the morning. |
| Screen | To hide or protect from view | Trees screened the house from the street. |
| Camouflage | To hide by blending in with surroundings | Soldiers camouflaged themselves in the jungle. |
| Bury | To put something under the ground or cover | He buried the letter in the garden. |
| Stash | To hide something safely for future use | She stashed the money under the mattress. |
| Secrete | To hide something carefully | The bird secreted food in a tree hole. |
| Disguise | To change appearance to hide identity | He disguised himself with a hat and glasses. |
| Eclipse | To hide by covering or overshadowing | The moon eclipsed the sun briefly. |
| To put something in a pocket to hide | He pocketed the note without anyone seeing. | |
| Retreat | To move back to hide or escape | They retreated into the forest to hide. |
| Withdraw | To take back or move away to hide | He withdrew into his room quietly. |
| Concealment | The act of hiding something | The secret room was used for concealment. |
| Obfuscate | To make unclear or hide the true meaning | He obfuscated the facts to avoid trouble. |
Conceal
Conceal means to hide something so that others cannot see it. People often conceal things because they want to keep them safe, private, or secret. You can conceal objects, feelings, or even information. For example, you might conceal a surprise gift or your emotions when you don't want others to know. It is a very common word and works in many situations. Using conceal in a sentence gives your writing a more careful and thoughtful feeling. Remember, when you conceal something, you are keeping it hidden but not destroying it.
- She concealed the key under the rug.
- He tried to conceal the mistake from his boss.
- They concealed the treasure in a secret cave.
Cover
Cover means to put something on top of another thing to hide or protect it. You can cover objects, surfaces, or even parts of your body. Covering can also mean hiding ideas or feelings by showing something else. Cover is an easy and useful word. You can cover a pot with a lid, cover a wound with a bandage, or cover a secret from someone. It shows action and protection at the same time.
- He covered the food with a lid.
- She covered her face with a scarf.
- The clouds covered the sun completely.
Obscure
Obscure means to make something hard to see or understand. When something is obscure, it is not easy to notice or comprehend. You can obscure facts, places, or things. Writers often use obscure to explain situations where things are unclear. It is useful when you want to hide information without being obvious. It can also describe a shadow, mist, or anything that blocks view. Using obscure adds a feeling of mystery or difficulty.
- The thick smoke obscured the street.
- His meaning was obscured by bad writing.
- Shadows obscured the old building.
Mask
Mask means to hide something by covering it with another thing. People can mask objects, feelings, or intentions. Masking is often used when someone wants to hide true emotions or plans. You can mask a smile, fear, or a secret. Masking makes it hard for others to know what is really happening. It is a very helpful word to describe emotional or physical hiding.
- She masked her sadness with laughter.
- He masked the scratch with makeup.
- They masked their plan from everyone.
Veil
Veil means to cover something so it cannot be clearly seen. Veiling is often gentle and soft, like a cloth or curtain. It can hide faces, objects, or intentions. Veil is a more elegant way to describe hiding. You can veil feelings, expressions, or even scenery. It is common in stories, celebrations, or secretive situations. Veiling keeps things partly hidden and sometimes mysterious.
- The morning mist veiled the mountains.
- She veiled her face during the ceremony.
- The writer veiled the truth in the story.
Shroud
Shroud means to cover or hide completely. It can be used for objects, places, or situations. When something is shrouded, it is fully hidden or wrapped. Shrouding adds a sense of mystery or secrecy. People often shroud buildings, forests, or ideas. Using shroud makes your writing stronger when you want to show complete concealment.
- Fog shrouded the village early in the morning.
- Darkness shrouded the old castle.
- The mystery shrouded the event.
Screen
Screen means to hide or protect from view. You can screen people, objects, or areas. Screening helps to give privacy or keep things safe. It is useful in homes, gardens, or offices. Screen can also mean covering something to block it from others' eyes. It is a simple way to describe hiding or protecting something.
- Trees screened the house from the street.
- A curtain screened the window.
- They screened the documents from outsiders.
Camouflage
Camouflage means to hide by blending in with surroundings. Animals, soldiers, or objects can camouflage themselves. Camouflage helps to avoid being noticed or found. It is a smart and natural way to hide. Using camouflage can be fun in stories, games, or real-life situations. It shows clever hiding by matching the environment.
- Soldiers camouflaged in the forest.
- The cat camouflaged in the leaves.
- They camouflaged the sign with paint.
Bury
Bury means to put something under the ground or cover it. You can bury objects, treasures, or secrets. Burying is a strong form of hiding because it makes finding things hard. People often bury memories, mistakes, or physical items. It is easy to understand and shows a serious way to keep something hidden. Using bury adds action and care to hiding.
- He buried the box in the backyard.
- She buried her diary under the soil.
- They buried the treasure in the sand.
Stash
Stash means to hide something safely for future use. People stash money, food, or important items. Stashing is smart because it keeps things safe and ready. It is often done secretly. Stash is useful in everyday life to explain hiding items from others. It also shows planning and caution.
- She stashed her savings in a drawer.
- He stashed snacks under the bed.
- They stashed gifts in the closet.
Secrete
Secrete means to hide something carefully. People, animals, and plants can secrete things. Secreting is usually done quietly and safely. It can be food, objects, or important items. Using secrete shows careful and controlled hiding. It is helpful when describing natural or planned concealment.
- The squirrel secreted nuts in a tree.
- She secreted the documents in her bag.
- The bird secreted food for the winter.
Disguise
Disguise means to change appearance to hide identity. People often disguise themselves with clothes, masks, or behavior. Disguising can hide emotions, intentions, or true self. It is fun and useful in many situations. Using disguise shows creative hiding and protection. It is common in stories, parties, or secret work.
- He disguised himself with a hat and glasses.
- She disguised the gift in a plain box.
- They disguised the meeting as a party.
Eclipse
Eclipse means to hide by covering or overshadowing something. The word is often used for the sun or moon. It can also describe hiding other things like fame, attention, or ideas. Eclipse shows that something is blocked or hidden temporarily. Using eclipse adds drama and a visual sense to hiding.
- The moon eclipsed the sun.
- Clouds eclipsed the view of the city.
- His success eclipsed his friend's achievements.
Pocket means to put something in a pocket to hide it. Pocketing is very common and simple. People pocket money, notes, or small items. Pocket shows quick and practical hiding. It is easy to understand and useful in daily life. Using pocket makes hiding active and direct.
- He pocketed the keys before leaving.
- She pocketed a candy secretly.
- They pocketed the note quickly.
Retreat
Retreat means to move back to hide or escape. People, animals, or groups retreat to avoid danger or being seen. Retreating is moving physically or mentally away from something. It is a smart way to protect yourself. Using retreat shows safety and strategy in hiding.
- Soldiers retreated into the forest.
- She retreated to her room after the fight.
- They retreated from the crowded area.
Withdraw
Withdraw means to take back or move away to hide. People withdraw from situations, places, or conversations. Withdrawing can show hiding from attention or avoiding problems. It is gentle and careful. Using withdraw gives a sense of quiet hiding and protection.
- He withdrew into the library to read.
- She withdrew from the noisy crowd.
- They withdrew the package for safety.
Concealment
Concealment means the act of hiding something. People use concealment to keep objects, information, or feelings secret. Concealment is strong and formal. It shows careful planning or action to hide. Using concealment makes writing or speaking more precise and serious about hiding.
- The room was used for concealment.
- He acted in concealment to avoid trouble.
- They practiced concealment during the exercise.
Obfuscate
Obfuscate means to hide the true meaning or make something unclear. People obfuscate facts, ideas, or messages. Obfuscating helps avoid being understood or discovered. It is useful in communication or writing when hiding is needed. Using obfuscate shows clever or tricky hiding of information.
- He obfuscated the instructions on purpose.
- The report obfuscated the main problem.
- They obfuscated their plan with lies.

Final Thoughts
Using different words for hide makes your writing and speaking more interesting. Words like conceal, mask, or camouflage help show hiding in many ways. Each synonym has its own style and meaning, and learning them improves communication. Keep practicing these words in sentences every day to remember them well.





