covert messaging

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "covert messaging" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to communication that is secretive or hidden, often to convey information without drawing attention. Example: "The spy used covert messaging to relay important information without being detected."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Covert timing channels (CTCs) can transmit covert messages by modulating the timing behavior of an entity in overt network communication.

Information Sciences

In majority of existing solutions, the covert messages are hidden in inter-packet delays (IPDs) of legitimate traffic.

Information Sciences

Perhaps there was a covert message in all this that Washington was sending to Moscow.

The Guardian - Opinion

To improve the robustness, we employ Gray code to encode the covert message for mitigating the packet loss and reordering.

Information Sciences

The design of this project is to enable the sending of a covert message between 2 communication devices utilizing steganographic techniques.

University of California, Berkeley

British officials passed covert messages to the Indonesian generals saying that they would not attack them in Borneo and "distract" them from their "necessary task" at home.

The Guardian

In order to build CTCs in such scenario, we propose a robust and undetectable CTC by packet rearrangement which can modulate covert message into number of packets between RTCP packets of VoLTE traffic.

Information Sciences

When I was on "The Tonight Show" last month, I was on with James Carville, and his wife was with Cheney, and he was getting covert messages like, "He's in the cave".

The New York Times - Magazine

Not only has the overt subject of the photograph changed -- no longer being the dress or beauty at its most perfect -- but the covert message and the viewer's very relationship to the picture have also changed.

The New York Times - Arts

As it has in previous correspondence with the athletes, the anti-doping agency detailed what it called a systematic effort to use performance-enhancing drugs and conceal their use with codes and covert messages.

The New York Times - Sports

Asked to comment on Mr. Kavanagh's column, Roy Greenslade, a Guardian media blogger who worked at The Sun when Mr. Murdoch prowled its newsroom during the Falklands war, endorsing sensational headlines, told BBC Radio 4: "it's an overt attack on the police, but the covert message is the most interesting one.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "covert messaging", ensure the context clearly indicates the intent to hide the communication from unintended recipients. Be specific about the method used to maintain secrecy, if relevant.

Common error

Avoid using "covert messaging" when simply referring to private conversations. "Covert" implies an active effort to conceal the message, not just a lack of public dissemination.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "covert messaging" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "covert" modifies "messaging." It describes the nature of the messaging as being secretive or hidden. Ludwig confirms that it is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "covert messaging" refers to a type of communication that is intentionally hidden or concealed. Ludwig confirms it is correct and usable in written English. While grammatically sound, the phrase's frequency is low, thus the term is not very common. When using this phrase, make sure the context accurately reflects the intent of secret communication. Consider alternatives such as "secret communication" or "stealth messaging" depending on the specific meaning you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Secret communication

Replaces "covert" with "secret", emphasizing the hidden nature of the communication.

Hidden communication

Focuses on the obscured nature of the exchange.

Undercover communication

Suggests a clandestine method of communication, similar to a spy operation.

Stealth messaging

Emphasizes the element of avoiding detection while sending messages.

Clandestine messaging

Highlights the secretive and illicit nature of the messaging.

Confidential messaging

Implies that the messages are private and not meant for public consumption.

Surreptitious messaging

Emphasizes the subtle and secretive way of exchanging messages.

Private communication

Emphasizes the exclusivity and restricted access to the messages.

Unacknowledged communication

Highlights the unofficial and unsanctioned nature of the messages.

Sub rosa communication

Uses a Latin term to denote secrecy and confidentiality in communication.

FAQs

How can I use "covert messaging" in a sentence?

"Covert messaging" refers to secret or hidden communication. For example: "The intelligence agency utilized "covert messaging" to relay sensitive information".

What's the difference between "covert messaging" and "secret messaging"?

"Covert messaging" often implies a method or strategy to hide the communication itself, whereas "secret messaging" simply indicates that the content is confidential. The first has an element of concealment while the second simply has an aspect of privacy.

Are there alternative phrases for "covert messaging"?

Yes, depending on the context, you could use phrases like "secret communication", "undercover communication", or "stealth messaging".

When is it appropriate to use the term "covert messaging"?

Use "covert messaging" when describing a deliberate effort to conceal the existence or content of a message, often for security or strategic purposes. Avoid using it when simple privacy is intended.