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.
Whether the attack was one carried out by traditional military assets or through some other means, such as a destructive cyber operation or a covert action led by the Central Intelligence Agency, is also uncertain.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 29, 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
They have helped catch Russian spies and offered training in covert action, including by the CIA's Ground Branch.
From BBC • May 13, 2022
No details of covert action plans were disclosed during the hearing.
From Washington Times • Mar. 9, 2022
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.
