tight-lipped

adjective

Synonyms of tight-lippednext
1
: having the lips closed tight (as in determination)
2
: reluctant to speak : taciturn

Examples of tight-lipped in a Sentence

the cabinet official is usually tight-lipped about her private life
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.
Chalamet and Jenner have been dating for three years and have appeared arm in arm on the red carpet this awards season but remain tight-lipped about one another in the press. Ellise Shafer, Variety, 22 Jan. 2026 Goldberg reportedly remained tight-lipped and refused to answer questions regarding the news that federal prosecutors have recently moved to reopen the investigation into the 2011 death of Greenberg, who was found with 23 stab wounds. Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 17 Jan. 2026 When Canada Goose opened its first China flagship in the same Beijing shopping complex in 2018, its CEO was tight-lipped throughout my 20-minute interview. Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 14 Jan. 2026 In post-production, the players must keep all details tight-lipped — or they might be booted off, per season 3 winner Dolores Catania. Rebecca Aizin, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tight-lipped

Word History

First Known Use

1876, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of tight-lipped was in 1876

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tight-lipped.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tight-lipped. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

tight-lipped

adjective
-ˈlipt
1
: having the lips closed tight (as in determination)
2
: not liking to speak : taciturn
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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