Undercover: meaning, definitions and examples
๐ต๏ธ
undercover
[ หสndษrหkสvษr ]
police operation
working or operating in a secret way for the purpose of catching criminals or collecting information
Synonyms
covert, disguised, hidden, secret.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
---|---|
undercover |
Used when someone is employed to observe or investigate in secrecy, often in law enforcement or journalism.
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covert |
Used for operations, actions, or missions that are done secretly, often for military or espionage purposes.
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secret |
Used for information, actions, or objects that are intentionally kept unknown or concealed.
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hidden |
Used when something is placed out of sight or not easily found, generally not referring to people.
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disguised |
Used when someone or something is altered in appearance to conceal identity or purpose.
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Examples of usage
- The detective went undercover to investigate the drug cartel.
- She worked as an undercover agent for several years before her true identity was revealed.
- The police set up an undercover operation to bust the illegal gambling ring.
- The undercover officer managed to infiltrate the criminal organization.
- The undercover cop wore a disguise to blend in with the crowd.
working secretly
in a way that keeps one's true identity or intentions secret
Synonyms
clandestinely, covertly, secretly, stealthily.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
---|---|
undercover |
Note: 'undercover' is listed twice in your input. See above entry for context and examples.
|
covertly |
Used when an action is done secretly and often involves some level of disguise or deception, often in military or intelligence contexts.
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secretly |
Refers to doing something without others knowing, not necessarily with a negative connotation. This term is broader and can be used in more everyday situations.
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stealthily |
Implies doing something in a very quiet, careful, and sneaky manner to avoid detection. Often used in contexts requiring physical silence and cautious movements.
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clandestinely |
When an action is done in a secretive manner to avoid detection, usually associated with activities that may be illicit or forbidden.
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Examples of usage
- He operated undercover to gather information without drawing attention.
- She moved undercover to avoid detection by the enemy.
- The agents worked undercover to maintain their cover.
- The informant provided valuable information while staying undercover.
- They communicated with each other undercover to avoid eavesdropping.
Translations
Translations of the word "undercover" in other languages:
๐ต๐น infiltrado
๐ฎ๐ณ เคเฅเคชเฅเคค
๐ฉ๐ช untercover
๐ฎ๐ฉ di bawah tanah
๐บ๐ฆ ะฟัะด ะฟัะธะบัะธัััะผ
๐ต๐ฑ tajny
๐ฏ๐ต ๆฝๅ ฅใใ
๐ซ๐ท sous couverture
๐ช๐ธ encubierto
๐น๐ท sahte
๐ฐ๐ท ๋น๋ฐ์
๐ธ๐ฆ ุชุญุช ุงูุบุทุงุก
๐จ๐ฟ tajnรฝ
๐ธ๐ฐ tajnรฝ
๐จ๐ณ ๅงๅบ
๐ธ๐ฎ pod krinko
๐ฎ๐ธ leyndur
๐ฐ๐ฟ ะถะฐััััะฝ
๐ฌ๐ช แแแคแแ แฃแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ gizli
๐ฒ๐ฝ encubierto
Etymology
The term 'undercover' originated in the mid-20th century and is derived from the combination of 'under' and 'cover.' The concept of working in disguise or secretly has been used throughout history in various forms, but the formal use of 'undercover' in law enforcement and espionage became more prominent in the modern era. Undercover operations have been a crucial part of criminal investigations and intelligence gathering, with individuals going undercover to uncover illegal activities and gather evidence.
See also: cover, coverage, coverall, coveralls, covered, covering, coverings, coverlet, covers, covert, recover, uncover, uncoverable, uncovered, uncovering, uncoverings.
Word Frequency Rank
With rank #17,668, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.
- ...
- 17665 flattening
- 17666 unaccompanied
- 17667 embezzlement
- 17668 undercover
- 17669 contestants
- 17670 mastering
- 17671 circumferential
- ...