as in silent
given to keeping one's activities hidden from public observation or knowledge
the intelligence agency remained secretive despite the media's demands for more openness in government
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Recent Examples of secretive
The Michelin selection process is notoriously rigorous and secretive, with anonymous inspectors traveling the world to assess restaurants for quality.
—
Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 3 Nov. 2025
Patterson returns to Charlotte following a monthslong controversy over the circumstances of Jennings’ split with the city, including a secretive six-figure settlement that triggered an investigation by the State Auditor’s Office.
—Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 31 Oct. 2025
Their eagerness to satisfy his trademark meticulousness has an identifiable influence on what would become the highly secretive Pluribus.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 30 Oct. 2025
Others are intentionally hidden, like Hyperion, the world’s tallest tree, whose exact location in Redwood National Park is so secretive that hikers can be fined for attempting to find it.
—AFAR Media, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for secretive
Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 3 Nov. 2025
Patterson returns to Charlotte following a monthslong controversy over the circumstances of Jennings’ split with the city, including a secretive six-figure settlement that triggered an investigation by the State Auditor’s Office.
—Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 31 Oct. 2025
Their eagerness to satisfy his trademark meticulousness has an identifiable influence on what would become the highly secretive Pluribus.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 30 Oct. 2025
Others are intentionally hidden, like Hyperion, the world’s tallest tree, whose exact location in Redwood National Park is so secretive that hikers can be fined for attempting to find it.
—AFAR Media, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for secretive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for secretive
Adjective
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But New Delhi remained notably silent on the subject of domestic repression.—
MUHIB RAHMAN,
Foreign Affairs,
12 Nov. 2025
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The room was silent, save for the heavy, mechanized breathing of the huge man in black armor standing to one side of the throne dais.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The Chicago Bears were relatively quiet ahead of the NFL trade deadline.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
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Hotel Fasano São Paulo Itaim Consistently top-notch, from the beds to the dining, Hotel Fasano exudes quiet luxury.—
Jade Moyano,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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This was a decisive turn away from Hasina’s India-first posture and toward closer alignment with Beijing.—
MUHIB RAHMAN,
Foreign Affairs,
12 Nov. 2025
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Highly acidic foods like pickles and tomatoes will react with the can after an extended period of time, causing both taste and texture changes so pay particularly close attention to expiration dates on these items.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
11 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Jens generally chooses his words carefully, and is, what’s more, particularly reticent just after finishing a long and difficult winter delivery trip; what’s a person supposed to do with words in a blizzard anyway, up on a stormy heath and all directions lost?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
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Carol, a reclusive and disgruntled bestselling romantasy author, exhorts her reticent audience of five immune English speakers to reclaim human agency against the milquetoast, obsequious blob and join her in a quest to reverse the happiness apocalypse.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Whenever Conrad was at his most uncommunicative and avoidant, Jeremiah was waiting in the wings to offer uncomplicated affection and himbo charm.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
17 Sep. 2025
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Throughout the show, Conrad is forgiven by fans for being uncommunicative and avoidant.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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There’s also the closemouthed, menacing technician who lives on a houseboat and raises snakes; the actress first hired for the show’s leading part who dropped out of the role before shooting began; and the unknown burglar who fled the frightened player’s house.—
Tom Nolan,
WSJ,
23 Dec. 2022
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Hutton’s gaptoothed smile replaced the closemouthed gaze and white eyeliner of Vogue models of the 1960s.—
Washington Post,
Washington Post,
25 Dec. 2021
Adjective
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The sky was cloudless and dark with the moon’s light now below the horizon.—
Sheeka Sanahori,
Outside,
11 Nov. 2025
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Bordered by antique wood pillar columns, the custom wood and glass front doors lead into a rotunda foyer displaying dark polished hardwood floors that run throughout the interiors.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
11 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Secretive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/secretive. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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