barely concealed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "barely concealed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not fully hidden or is only slightly covered, often implying that the truth or emotion is still somewhat visible. Example: "Her anger was barely concealed as she listened to the unfair criticism."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

The D.A.'s office responded with barely concealed rage.

The New Yorker

The Russians greeted him with barely concealed delight.

The New Yorker

His contempt for his congressional interlocutors was barely concealed.

The Guardian - Opinion

And a faint but discernible edge of barely concealed viciousness.

The Guardian

It was a barely concealed statement of intent.

The Guardian - Sport

Barely concealed messages lay embedded within the lines of these songs.

The New York Times

He opened the door a few inches and stared at me with barely concealed horror.

The New York Times

They were barely concealed works of advocacy, and the F.E.C. later tried to ban them.

The New Yorker

Her stepmother had seemed unsurprised; she'd taken a barely concealed pleasure in the news.

The New Yorker

The SNP, meanwhile, was a fringe concern, regarded with barely concealed contempt by senior Labourites.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

She congratulated Sanders on a hard-fought race, but added a barely-concealed criticism of her adversary.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "barely concealed" to describe emotions, intentions, or objects that are not fully hidden, suggesting an underlying truth or feeling that is still evident. For example: "His anger was barely concealed."

Common error

Avoid using "barely concealed" when you need to convey that something is completely hidden or secret. "Barely concealed" implies that some element is still visible or detectable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barely concealed" functions as an adjectival modifier, typically describing a noun. As Ludwig AI points out, it indicates that something is not fully hidden or is only slightly covered. This suggests that while an attempt at concealment has been made, it is not entirely successful.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Science

1%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "barely concealed" is a common and grammatically sound adjectival modifier used to describe something not fully hidden. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans across various contexts, primarily in news and media, indicating a slightly visible or detectable element. It's crucial to avoid using it when complete secrecy is intended. Alternatives like "slightly hidden" or "thinly veiled" can be considered depending on the desired nuance. This phrase conveys a sense of underlying truth or emotion that is still evident despite attempts at concealment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly hidden

Indicates a minimal level of hiding, similar to "barely concealed" but focuses on the act of hiding.

thinly veiled

Suggests a very weak attempt to disguise something, similar to "barely concealed" but emphasizes the disguise aspect.

poorly disguised

Focuses on the ineffectiveness of the disguise, akin to "barely concealed" but highlights the lack of skill in concealing.

hardly noticeable

Emphasizes the difficulty in noticing something, similar to "barely concealed" but focuses on the observer's perspective.

faintly apparent

Suggests that something is only slightly evident, similar to "barely concealed" but emphasizes the visibility aspect.

scarcely evident

Highlights the minimal evidence of something, close to "barely concealed" but emphasizes the lack of clear signs.

weakly masked

Indicates a feeble attempt to cover something, similar to "barely concealed" but stresses the weakness of the masking.

just perceptible

Focuses on the bare minimum of perception, similar to "barely concealed" but centers on the ability to perceive.

almost visible

Highlights the near visibility of something, akin to "barely concealed" but emphasizes the visual aspect.

minimally covered

Suggests that something is covered to the smallest degree, similar to "barely concealed" but focuses on the act of covering.

FAQs

How can I use "barely concealed" in a sentence?

You can use "barely concealed" to describe something that is not fully hidden or is only slightly covered. For example, "Her disappointment was "barely concealed" when she heard the news."

What phrases are similar to "barely concealed"?

Similar phrases include "slightly hidden", "thinly veiled", or "poorly disguised". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever appropriate to use "barely concealed" in formal writing?

Yes, "barely concealed" is appropriate for formal writing as it is grammatically correct and conveys a clear meaning. However, ensure that it fits the tone and context of your writing.

What is the difference between "barely concealed" and "completely hidden"?

"Barely concealed" implies that something is almost visible or detectable, while "completely hidden" means that something is not visible at all. They have opposite meanings.