secretive

se·cre·tive

adj \ˈsē-krə-tiv, si-ˈkrē-\

Definition of SECRETIVE

: disposed to secrecy : not open or outgoing in speech, activity, or purposes

— se·cre·tive·ly adverb

— se·cre·tive·ness noun

Examples of SECRETIVE

1. He's very secretive about his work.
2. <the intelligence agency remained secretive despite the media's demands for more openness in government>

Origin of SECRETIVE

back-formation from secretiveness, part translation of French secrétivité

First Known Use: 1835

Related to SECRETIVE

Synonyms: close, closemouthed, dark, reticent, tight-mouthed, uncommunicative

Antonyms: communicative, open

Related Words: quiet, reserved, silent, taciturn, tight-lipped; discreet, prudent; clandestine, covert, furtive, hugger-mugger, secret, sneak, sneaky, stealthy, surreptitious, undercover, underhand, underhanded

Near Antonyms: candid, frank, honest, out-front, up-front; blunt, outspoken, tactless

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See Synonym Discussion at silent

Rhymes with SECRETIVE

accretive, completive, decretive, depletive, suppletive