open secret

noun

: a supposedly secret but generally known matter

Examples of open secret in a Sentence

It's an open secret that he's been cheating on his wife.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Over time, the military’s influence over both the judicial and executive branches of government has become an open secret in Pakistan. Hasan Ali, Christian Science Monitor, 19 June 2025 Unsustainable Tuition Discounting The industry's open secret: private colleges now discount tuition by a record 56%, according to NACUBO's latest report. Scott White, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025 But behind the confident marketing is an open secret: There’s no consensus on what an AI agent actually is. Karthik Sj, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025 September Dawn Bottoms for NBC News After years of calls to local authorities, the women’s allegations against Campbell became an open secret among law enforcement in Webster County. Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 12 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for open secret

Word History

First Known Use

1828, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of open secret was in 1828

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Cite this Entry

“Open secret.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/open%20secret. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

open secret

noun
: something supposed to be a secret but in fact generally known

More from Merriam-Webster on open secret

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