closeted

adjective

clos·​et·​ed ˈklä-zə-təd How to pronounce closeted (audio)
ˈklȯ-
Synonyms of closetednext
: closet entry 3 sense 3
a closeted gay man

Examples of closeted in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Chase, Harada, Ivan Hernandez (as the town Doc with all the bedside manner of Captain Von Trapp), Brad Oscar as closeted Mayor Menlove whose penchant for outfits as fanciful as any thing from Munchkinland is matched only by his tender longing for that shy town reverend (Maulik Pancholy). Greg Evans, Deadline, 20 Apr. 2026 Except this time, Cal is a closeted diva scrambling to hide his Grindr alerts and Jack specializes in stick figure cat paintings. Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Apr. 2026 Levy masters one hilarious perplexed comedic reaction after another as Nicky, a closeted pastor with a zany, highly dysfunctional family. Randy Myers, Mercury News, 9 Apr. 2026 Heated Rivalry turned Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie into overnight stars — due in part to their steamy chemistry as closeted hockey players Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov. Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 5 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for closeted

Word History

First Known Use

1969, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of closeted was in 1969

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Closeted.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/closeted. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.

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