undercover
6 synonyms and 1 antonym for undercover, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Carried out secretly, especially as part of an investigation.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use undercover
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
undercover agent
undercover cop
go undercover
Etymology
From under + cover, in the sense of "hidden."
Full origin of undercover →Frequently asked questions
What does “undercover” mean?
The word “undercover” means carried out secretly, especially as part of an investigation. In plain terms, working or acting in secret, usually to investigate or infiltrate something.
How do you pronounce “undercover”?
“Undercover” is pronounced uhn-duh-KUH-vuh (/ˌʌndə(ɹ)ˈkʌvə(ɹ)/ in IPA).
How do you use “undercover” in a sentence?
Here is “undercover” used in a sentence: “The reporter went undercover to expose the scam.”
What is another word for “undercover”?
Words with a similar meaning to “undercover” include clandestine.
What part of speech is “undercover”?
“Undercover” is an adjective.
Is “undercover” a common word?
“Undercover” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “undercover” have?
“Undercover” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: carried out secretly, especially as part of an investigation.
What is the difference between "undercover" and "clandestine"?
"Undercover" specifically describes work or investigations carried out secretly by someone posing as something they are not, such as a spy or investigator, while "clandestine" (an existing synonym) more broadly describes anything done secretly, not limited to disguised identity or investigative work.
Is "undercover" only used for police work?
No, while "undercover" is commonly associated with police or intelligence investigations, it applies to anyone working secretly, especially as a spy or investigator, in any context requiring a hidden identity or purpose.
What is the difference between an "undercover" agent and a "secret" agent?
An "undercover" agent specifically works while concealing their true identity or role, typically to gather information as part of an investigation, while "secret agent" is a more general term for someone engaged in espionage that does not necessarily emphasize disguised identity.
