screen 1 of 2

noun

ˈskrēn How to pronounce screen (audio)
Definition of screennext
1
as in film
the art or business of making a movie he was a star of both stage and screen

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in defense
means or method of defending the target will be difficult to reach as it is behind a screen of anti-aircraft batteries

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

screen

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to protect
to drive danger or attack away from attack helicopters were called in to help screen the troops from further attacks

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to hide
to keep secret or shut off from view bushes screened the swimming pool from passersby on the street

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to filter
to pass through a filter you should screen the cooking oil to remove impurities

Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in to cover
to place a protective layer over screened his eyes with his hand to block the sun

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word screen distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of screen are bury, conceal, hide, and secrete. While all these words mean "to withhold or withdraw from sight," screen implies an interposing of something that prevents discovery.

a house screened by trees

When would bury be a good substitute for screen?

The synonyms bury and screen are sometimes interchangeable, but bury implies covering up so as to hide completely.

buried the treasure

When might conceal be a better fit than screen?

The words conceal and screen can be used in similar contexts, but conceal usually does imply intent and often specifically implies a refusal to divulge.

concealed the weapon

When could hide be used to replace screen?

The meanings of hide and screen largely overlap; however, hide may or may not suggest intent.

hide in the closet
a house hidden in the woods

Where would secrete be a reasonable alternative to screen?

While in some cases nearly identical to screen, 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 screen
Noun
His trajectory shifts when a virtual quest screen appears before him, redirecting him toward life as an army cook. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 30 Aug. 2026 Over the last week, it was reported that the 2003 rom-com How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, starring Kate Hudson and Matthew McConnaughey, may well be returning to screens for a part two. — Lauren O’Neill, Vogue, 29 Aug. 2026
Verb
There are a handful of North Texas theaters will that screen both films this weekend and into next week. — Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Aug. 2026 Kumi's model prioritizes reciprocity, screening for members who contribute, ensuring high-value interactions like access to corporate board insights. — Jasmine Browley, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for screen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for screen
  1. film
  2. defense
  3. protect
  4. hide
  5. filter
  6. cover
  7. movie
  8. wall
Noun
  • The film from writer-director Elle Sofe Sara will get a theatrical release in early 2027 before launching on digital platforms later next year.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Yamazaki returns as director for a film Toho and Gkids describe as featuring more extensive effects work than its predecessor, while keeping its post-World War II Japan setting grounded in the experiences of its characters.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of film
Noun
  • Davis’ defense attorney, Michael Sanft, challenged jurors to identify evidence outside Davis’ own statements that placed him in Las Vegas or inside the Cadillac on the night Shakur was shot.
    — Jonathan Landrum Jr, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Allen collected three hits and played terrific defense during a 6-3 win against the Mets.
    — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of defense
Verb
  • Play was suspended on the outside courts, but the roofs could close on Armstrong and Ashe, protecting Bublik and Wolf, and Novak Djokovic and Mariano Navone, from the elements.
    — Rebecca Tauber, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Families who answer those questions early protect both generations.
    — Jon Sabes, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of protect
Verb
  • The expansion will take players to the brand new realm of Letten — an idyllic land of rural tradition that hides a dark secret just below the surface.
    — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
  • This is nothing more than a desperate attempt to hide his own extremism and Texans will see right through it.
    — Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of hide
Verb
  • The instruments can move with greater flexibility than the human hand, while the system filters out natural hand tremors that could affect delicate movements.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The set list spans her 14-year career, with even the most pop-forward selections filtered through thunderous percussion and earsplitting guitars.
    — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of filter
Verb
  • Some of those rescued are covered in mud and appear injured after being battered by the flood, one video shows.
    — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Researchers studying how Medicare insurers cover GLP-1s have found that recipients have faced increases in out-of-pocket costs and that almost all plans now require prior authorization, which can make getting the drugs more difficult.
    — Jackie Fortiér, Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of cover
Noun
  • Dark movie theaters, or creepy home basements, are the classic venues of choice for those who love supernatural scares.
    — Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Paranormal Activity, the play, builds to the sort of slick and grisly finale that would be just right for the end of a cruel horror movie, but that lands awkwardly onstage.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of movie
Noun
  • At Sharma-Crawford’s office, his assistant posted three separate calendars to the office wall.
    — Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Security cameras on the Chinese side of the border captured people running from a wall of debris as floodwaters rushed through a border crossing, sweeping away vehicles and buildings.
    — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of wall

Phrases Containing screen

Browse Nearby Words

screeching
screen
screened
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Screen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/screen. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on screen

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about screen

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All