weakly veiled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "weakly veiled" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not well concealed or is only slightly hidden, often referring to intentions or meanings that are apparent despite attempts to disguise them. Example: "His criticism of the policy was weakly veiled, making it clear that he disagreed with the decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

A local council there just approved measures to regulate how a person spends time on a sidewalk -- nothing more than weakly veiled attempts to kick homeless people off the curb.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Women are veiled.

The New York Times

Others wore veiled masks.

The New York Times

(And even that is veiled).

The New Yorker

All the women were veiled.

The New Yorker

Everything about it breathes veiled discretion.

Independent

Martha went around veiled.

The New Yorker

Some references were thinly veiled.

TechCrunch

This possibly elicited information that otherwise may have been veiled.

BMC Psychiatry

Myles smiled weakly.

The Guardian - Money

He smiled, weakly.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "weakly veiled", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being subtly concealed. It works best when describing intentions, emotions, or meanings that are not explicitly stated but are still apparent.

Common error

Avoid using "weakly veiled" too frequently in formal or academic writing, as it can sometimes sound less direct than stronger synonyms like "thinly disguised" or "poorly hidden". Consider the tone and audience when choosing this phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "weakly veiled" functions as an adverb-adjective combination, modifying a noun to describe something that is not fully concealed or is only slightly hidden. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "weakly veiled" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe something that is only partially concealed. Ludwig AI identifies its correct usage in English, particularly within news and media contexts. While semantically valid, the phrase is not common and should be used judiciously, considering synonyms like ""thinly disguised"" or ""barely concealed"" as potentially more impactful alternatives, especially in formal writing. To use this phrase effectively, it's important to clarify the context and intent to ensure clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

thinly disguised

Focuses on the act of disguising something, but the disguise is not very effective.

barely concealed

Emphasizes that the concealment is minimal; almost nothing is hidden.

poorly hidden

Highlights the ineffectiveness of hiding something.

faintly masked

Suggests a subtle attempt to cover something, which is still perceptible.

lightly shrouded

Implies a gentle or delicate covering, not fully obscuring the underlying thing.

subtly implied

Indicates that something is hinted at rather than explicitly stated, maintaining a degree of indirectness.

softly muted

Suggests a reduction in intensity or clarity, making something less obvious.

partially obscured

Indicates that something is blocked from view only in part.

delicately disguised

Implies that the disguise is fragile and not very robust.

incompletely covered

Emphasizes the lack of full coverage, leaving parts exposed.

FAQs

How can I use "weakly veiled" in a sentence?

You can use "weakly veiled" to describe something that is not well concealed or is only slightly hidden. For example: "His criticism was "thinly disguised", making it clear he disagreed with the decision".

What phrases are similar in meaning to "weakly veiled"?

Alternatives include "thinly disguised", "barely concealed", or "poorly hidden". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "weakly veiled" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "weakly veiled" may sound less direct than other options. Consider stronger synonyms like "thinly disguised" or "poorly hidden" for more formal contexts.

What is the difference between "weakly veiled" and "thinly disguised"?

"Weakly veiled" suggests something is only slightly covered or concealed, while "thinly disguised" emphasizes the act of disguising something, but ineffectively. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the state of concealment or the attempt to disguise.