Meaning & use
overtly and covertly
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Meaning
adverbformal
In a way that is open and visible, and also in a way that is secret or hidden.
Grammar: Used as a pair of adverbs, often after a verb or at the end of a clause.
Patterns
- act overtly and covertly
- support something overtly and covertly
- both overtly and covertly
The government supported the rebels both overtly and covertly.
She campaigned overtly and covertly for the policy change.
The organization operates overtly and covertly in several countries.
Common combinations
- both overtly and covertly
- The group worked both overtly and covertly to influence the election.
- act overtly and covertly
- The spy had to act overtly and covertly at different times.
- support someone overtly and covertly
- They supported the cause overtly and covertly.
- overtly and covertly racist
- The article criticized both overtly and covertly racist language.
Synonyms and how they differ
- openly and secretly
- Less formal; uses simpler words but the same contrast.
- publicly and privately
- Focuses on public vs. private settings rather than open vs. hidden actions.
Word family
Commonly confused: overtly and covertly or covertly?
overtly and covertly vs covertly
Not to be confused with 'covertly' and 'overtly' as a pair; 'covertly' alone means secretly.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'overtly and covertly' correctly?
Choose one answer.
The phrase is used as adverbs modifying 'donated'. 'To' is the correct preposition for the recipient. 'For', 'with', and 'at' do not fit the meaning here.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “overtly and covertly”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.