covert action
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of covert action
First recorded in 1975–80
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Outgunned by Russia in weaponry, Kyiv ruthlessly exploited its few advantages available for covert action.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 12, 2025
The form of this response, be it a direct military strike, cyberwarfare, or a covert action has not been publicly revealed.
From Salon ● Apr. 17, 2024
The FBI is charged with combating foreign influence operations that include covert action seeking to impact political sentiment or public discourse.
From Washington Times ● Apr. 25, 2023
American officials said in 2021 that they had no evidence showing the Kremlin had ordered the covert action.
From New York Times ● Jan. 22, 2023
It also resorted to covert action when it thought this was justified—and during the Cold War, justification was easy to find.
From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
