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
In 2018, Trump touted a Foxconn plant in Wisconsin that would build flat panel screens and create 13,000 jobs and invest $10 billion. —Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 9 Apr. 2025 The infotainment screen also has a unique user interface designed by the Aston Martin Formula 1 team. —Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 9 Apr. 2025
Verb
The manager went on to say employees had screened 500 prospective callers for the task. —ArsTechnica, 8 Apr. 2025 With Bishop in need of a transplant, on March 27, the foundation posted a call on social media for bone marrow donor screening through the Defense Department’s marrow donor program, Salute to Life. —Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025 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
  • This is one of those stories that could easily be a feature length film.
    — Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Apr. 2025
  • The actor continued to film projects in Austin, starring in the 2005 Robert Rodriguez film Sin City as the villainous character Stuka.
    — Kat Stinson, EW.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of film
Noun
  • In the guilt-innocence phase, the jury deliberated for about four hours and for about 90 minutes in the punishment phase, according to defense attorney Wiggins.
    — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Apr. 2025
  • And they’re being embedded into everything from CRM platforms to national defense strategies.
    — Sandy Carter, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Definition of defense
Verb
  • The push to help more than half-a-million Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans is part of a broader legal effort to protect nationals from Ukraine, Afghanistan and other countries who are here legally.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2025
  • See my tips and best picks on how to protect yourself from identity theft.
    — Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of protect
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
Definition of hide
Verb
  • Jefferson’s Reserve Cask Strength is an eight-year-old bourbon that is non-chill filtered and bottled at 130 proof (65 percent ABV).
    — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 10 Apr. 2025
  • According to the report, many travel and pop culture trends filter down to how people travel.
    — Zach Wichter, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of filter
Verb
  • More: Obamacare covers cancer screening and cholesterol meds.
    — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Jessie also covers lifestyle topics for various publications, including PEOPLE, StyleCaster, Apartment Therapy, USA Today and Glamour.
    — Bianca Lambert, Glamour, 21 Apr. 2025
Definition of cover
Noun
  • The actress, who had shaved her head in 2024 for a movie role, managed to keep her lack of hair hidden until the awards show.
    — Brittany Talarico, People.com, 21 Apr. 2025
  • What might work in a fantasy show, or a campy horror movie, comes off as weirdly goofy here.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
Definition of movie
Noun
  • The new center’s acronym—CSAR—was pasted on an otherwise blank wall.
    — Emma Green, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
  • With a terrifying look of conviction on her face, the episode ends with Abby slowly approaching the walls of Jackson.
    — Alli Rosenbloom, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 2025
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 24 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on screen

Nglish: Translation of screen for Spanish Speakers

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

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Words in Disguise: Do these seem familiar?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)

'Blue Moon,' 'Wolf Moon,' and Other Moons to Look for Throughout the Year

10 Scrabble Words Without Any Vowels
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
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 Word Game 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?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
name that thing flower edition
Name That Flower Can you tell the difference between a lilac and a...
See All