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

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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
Aside from his work on screen, the Londoner is an accomplished poet whose work explores themes of masculinity, love, grief and connection. — Alex Ritman, Variety, 23 Oct. 2026 Think about privacy with fencing, tall planters, bamboo screens or outdoor curtains, and factor in noise, drainage and level ground for anything with real weight like tubs or saunas. — Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026
Verb
That same year, a version of it was screened at the Cannes Film Festival. — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 22 Oct. 2026 Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM, approvingly screened it a few weeks ago. — Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 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
  • Leica still makes film cameras, including the MP and M-A, which have no digital parts.
    — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Mirren was first introduced to Highsmith through her husband Taylor Hackford, becoming a fan of her books as well as their many film adaptations.
    — Alex Jhamb Burns, Vogue, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of film
Noun
  • Stokes finished with a personal 2026 postseason-best 13 points to go with eight rebounds, three blocks and suffocating defense on Dream star Angel Reese, who was held to seven points on 2-for-8 shooting.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Portis rushed to his teammates’ defense, getting into Gafford’s face before the two teams separated them.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of defense
Verb
  • More missiles, many more options This would significantly expand the ship’s ability to protect an entire naval task group, rather than primarily concentrating on defending itself and nearby assets.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Russia imposed temporary export controls on helium in April to protect its domestic supply.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of protect
Verb
  • Working in quick, gentle strokes, Abrams used her brush and sprayer to peel away dirt hiding the floral details on Eliza’s grave before moving to the next.
    — Kimberlee Kruesi, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The subsequent furor is about hiding it from the public and about a brazen plea to keep the Democratic Party and three of its candidates from advertising those facts.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of hide
Verb
  • Beirut's private-press scene has little in common with the studio culture of ’80s Tokyo, where an abundance of resources and technology filtered the same foreign influences into something more perfect and polished.
    — Shy Clara Thompson, Pitchfork, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Inside Clarify Clinic’s proprietary centrifuge machine, which is designed to filter contaminants out of human blood.
    — Tracy Achonwa, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of filter
Verb
  • The carbon covers the grip, the thumb rest, and the soft-release button, the spots a photographer touches most.
    — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Still, though, the White House has selectively denied CNN access to cover the president's travel on Air Force One -- no fewer than four times to date, Boutrous wrote.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of cover
Noun
  • In a generation of heartbreakers, Ne-Yo became a living embodiment of the movie What Women Want.
    — Clover Hope, Pitchfork, 25 Oct. 2026
  • However, this movie carries a hefty $100 million price tag (stop-motion animation is labor-intensive and takes years to produce) and likely won’t turn a theatrical profit.
    — Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of movie
Noun
  • There is a build up of debris around the back vent and wall above the walk-in freezer.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Open every day and complimentary for all guests, children four and older are fully supervised on indoor and outdoor adventures, from a climbing wall and children’s cinema to village walks and ski lessons.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of wall

Phrases Containing screen

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screeching
screen
screened
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Cite this Entry

“Screen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/screen. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on screen

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about screen

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